# 5. Voltaire.
François-Marie Arouet (November 1694 – 30 May 1778), better known by the pen name Voltaire was a French philosopher, writer, historian and famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, freedom of religion, and free trade.
Voltaire produced works in almost every literary form including plays, poetry, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets.
He was an open supporter of social reforms-despite strict censorship laws and harsh penalties for those who broke them. He made use of his works to criticize intolerance, religious dogma and the French institutions of his day.
This French satirist was jailed in 1717, for writing poems ridiculing The Duke of Orleans- the dissolute regent of France. During his 11 months in Bastille, Paris, Voltaire started to work on his epic poem La Henriade- an attack on religious fanaticism and political intrigue.
Most of Voltaire's early life revolved around Paris. From early on, Voltaire had trouble with the authorities for even mild critiques of the government and religious intolerance. These activities were to result in numerous imprisonments and exiles.
One satirical verse about the Regent thought to be by him led to his imprisonment in the Bastille for eleven months, until the real author came forward. While there, he wrote his debut play and its success established his reputation.