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Signature of Voltaire

Voltaire

The autograph signature of Voltaire, the pen-name under which François-Marie Arouet reinvented himself as a writer.

This is Voltaire's own signature, showing the chosen name through which he presented himself to the world.

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Black handwritten cursive signature on a white background reading 'Francis Voltaire', with a long looping flourish extending to the right and a tail descending at the left.
Signature of François Voltaire.

About this source

What it is

This image shows the handwritten signature 'Voltaire', the name the author chose for himself. It is reproduced from a Commons record of his autograph signature.

Why it matters

A signature is a very personal trace of a historical figure. Voltaire's choice to sign with an invented name rather than his birth name shows how he built a public identity as a writer and thinker, separate from his family background.

Look closer

  • What does the flowing, confident style of the writing suggest about the person who wrote it?
  • Why might someone adopt a new name to sign their work?
  • Where might you expect to find this signature — on letters, books, or official documents?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Voltaire on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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