Voltaire, a prominent philosopher of the Enlightenment, has had a profound impact on modern thought. His advocacy for civil liberties and freedom of speech laid groundwork for many democratic ideals we hold dear today.
Through his works, such as "Candide" and numerous essays, he championed the principles of reason and scientific inquiry. Voltaire was known for his wit and criticism of the established order, often targeting the censorship and dogma of his time.
His correspondence and relationships with other Enlightenment thinkers, including Rousseau and Montesquieu, helped spread revolutionary ideas across Europe and the Americas, influencing key figures like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.