After a campaign by the writer Voltaire, judges in Paris posthumously exonerate Jean Calas of murdering his son. Calas had been tortured and executed in 1762 on the charge, though his son may have actually committed suicide.

One of the most influential figures of the French Enlightenment,

François-Marie Arouet, universally known by his iconic nom de plume, Voltaire, was a formidable French writer, historian, and philosopher. Born on November 21, 1694, and passing on May 30, 1778, Voltaire's legacy is defined by his sharp wit, his relentless criticism of institutions—particularly the Roman Catholic Church and the abhorrent practice of slavery—and his passionate advocacy for foundational civil liberties: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the crucial separation of church and state. He wasn't just a thinker; he was a revolutionary voice in an era often stifled by dogma and monarchy.

Voltaire was an exceptionally versatile and prolific writer, a true literary powerhouse who delved into nearly every conceivable literary form. His extensive body of work includes compelling plays, evocative poems, insightful novels, profound essays, detailed histories, and even scientific expositions. The sheer volume of his output is astounding, with more than 20,000 letters and an impressive 2,000 books and pamphlets attributed to him. He achieved a rare feat for his time, becoming one of the first authors to gain widespread international renown and significant commercial success. Throughout his career, Voltaire remained an outspoken champion of civil liberties, navigating constant peril from the stringent censorship laws imposed by the powerful Catholic French monarchy. His polemics, sharp and unyielding, brilliantly satirized the intolerance, religious dogma, and entrenched French institutions of his day. Perhaps his most celebrated work and enduring magnum opus, the novella

Candide, stands as a biting commentary, critique, and ridicule of many prevailing events, thinkers, and philosophies of his contentious era, cementing his place as a literary giant.

In a deeply intertwined narrative of justice and religious intolerance, the story of Jean Calas emerges. Born in 1698, Calas was a respected merchant living in Toulouse, France. His life took a tragic turn when he was tried, brutally tortured, and ultimately executed on March 10, 1762, for the alleged murder of his own son, despite his fervent protestations of innocence. Calas’s Protestant faith in an overwhelmingly Catholic society became a critical and sinister backdrop to his plight. Doubts about his guilt, fueled by growing opposition to the Catholic Church's absolute authority, began to surface, eventually leading to his exoneration in 1764, posthumously clearing his name. In France, Jean Calas became a poignant symbol of the devastating consequences of religious intolerance, often remembered alongside other victims of similar injustices like François-Jean de la Barre and Pierre-Paul Sirven. It was Voltaire himself who famously championed Calas's cause, dedicating significant effort to exposing the injustice and advocating for his family, demonstrating his commitment to the very principles he preached.

Frequently Asked Questions About Voltaire and Jean Calas

Who was Voltaire?
Voltaire, born François-Marie Arouet, was a prominent French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher (1694–1778) known for his wit and advocacy of civil liberties.
What is Voltaire famous for?
He is famous for his sharp wit, criticism of the Catholic Church and slavery, and his staunch advocacy for freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the separation of church and state.
What was Voltaire's real name?
Voltaire's real name was François-Marie Arouet.
What is Candide about?
Candide is Voltaire's satirical novella that critiques the philosophical optimism of his time, ridiculing many events, thinkers, and societal flaws through the adventures of its naive protagonist.
Who was Jean Calas?
Jean Calas was a Protestant merchant in Toulouse, France, who was unjustly tried, tortured, and executed in 1762 for the murder of his son, becoming a symbol of religious intolerance.
How did Voltaire contribute to the Calas affair?
Voltaire famously took up the cause of Jean Calas, actively campaigning to expose the injustice of his execution and secure the exoneration of his family, showcasing his commitment to justice and religious freedom.