Solitaires So Dazzling Bright

Francois-Marie Arouet – known today by his pen name Voltaire – was a distinguished member of the Enlightenment movement in France during the 18th century.  As if often the case with history, our view is in stark contrast to those that lived it.  The modern view of the Enlightenment era is positive; a critical transformative evolution in ideas and personal liberties.  But for some early  proponents, there were severe consequences.  Voltaire’s work criticized French authorities, both church and state,  and his writings landed him in prison at the Bastille twice for short stints.  Voltaire would not be dissuaded and on the precipice of being sentenced to a longer third term, Voltaire choose exile and fled to England.   Interestingly, it is in part the result of his exile why Voltaire’s influence spread globally and the reason he learned English.  Voltaire’s writing was translated in many languages and Voltaire is one of the first modern global writers of influence during his life time.  

Voltaire’s best known work is Candide, but like many writers, his first published work was poetry.  Prolific beyond comprehension, he is said to have written more than 20,000 letters, and more than 2,000 other published works, from books, to plays, to pamphlets.   For a man who died at age 63 it would mean that from age 16 on he had to write and send more than one letter a day.  Voltaire’s poetry is playful, filled with inside jokes between him and friends and obviously a well deserved break from the more serious politically infused satire for which he is better known.