Secondary sourceBook1924
Voltaire and the French Enlightenment
Will Durant · 1924
A 1924 biographical booklet by Will Durant describing Voltaire's life, writings, and character as a philosopher and critic.
A later biography summarizing Voltaire's life, works, and personality as a writer, historian, and philosopher.
About this source
What it is
This is a short biography of Voltaire written by Will Durant in 1924, published as a "Little Blue Book" by the Haldeman-Julius Company. It traces his life from Paris through London, Cirey, Potsdam, and Ferney, covering works such as Candide and the Philosophic Dictionary. The audio version here is a modern volunteer reading, not Voltaire's own voice or an original recording.
Why it matters
Durant's book shows how Voltaire was remembered and interpreted nearly 150 years after his death, highlighting both his flaws and his tireless defense of friends and causes. It reflects how biographers select quotations and anecdotes to build a vivid picture of a historical figure for later readers.
Look closer
- How does Durant balance praise and criticism of Voltaire's character?
- What does the quotation "My trade is to say what I think" reveal about Voltaire's self-image?
- Why might a biography written in the 1920s differ from one written during Voltaire's lifetime?
This book 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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