
François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) was a French writer, historian and philosopher. He also advocated freedom of speech and freedom of religion. He was extremely talented and a prolific writer and well known for his criticism of Christianity. He wrote many novels, essays, plays and scientific expositions. He was born on 21st November (1694) in Paris and died on 30th May (1778). He remained married to Émilie du Châtelet from 1733 to 1749.