François-Marie Arouet, better known by the pen name Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer and philosopher celebrated for his wit and his advocacy of civil liberties, which included freedom of religion and free trade. He was a versatile and prolific writer, creating works across various literary forms such as plays, poetry, novels, essays, historical and scientific works. Voltaire's legacy includes over 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets.

As a satirical polemicist, Voltaire was famous for utilizing his works to criticize intolerance, religious dogma, and the French institutions of his day. His sharp commentary and satire often put him at odds with censorship laws and the Catholic French monarchy. His most notable work, Candide, serves as a critique of the philosophies of his time, particularly the optimism of Gottfried Leibniz.

Voltaire's influence extended beyond literature; he was one of the key figures whose ideas contributed to the intellectual underpinnings of both the American and French Revolutions. In 1746, he was elected to the French Academy, where he took seat number 33, signifying his stature in the French intellectual society.