The life of Voltaire

The Life of Voltaire by S. G. Tallentyre delves into the early life of the famous writer and philosopher François Marie Arouet known as Voltaire. Born in 1694 to a well-to-do family in Paris Voltaire's childhood was marked by precocious intelligence and a rebellious spirit. Despite pressure from his father to pursue a career in law Voltaire's passion for literature and writing led him to the salons of Paris where he mingled with the intellectual elite. His sharp wit and audacious verses quickly gained him notoriety but also landed him in trouble resulting in his exile to Sully. Despite the pleasant surroundings Voltaire longed to return to Paris where he felt his true calling awaited him. This period of exile marked the beginning of his realization that he had a message to deliver to the world through his writing.