Voltaire

François-Marie Arouet , known by his nom de plume Voltaire , was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher famous for his wit, his criticism of Christianity—especially the Roman Catholic Church—as well as his advocacy of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state.

• Study Guide: Candide by Voltaire

  As an influential philosophical novel of the Age of Enlightenment, Candide is a pivotal and powerful example of french satirical wit of social and political justice. Moreover, Voltaire’s work reflects sharp criticism against nobility, philosophy, the church, and cruelty.