Camilla Kolstad Danielsen

The Star of The Age of Reason. Voltaire 1694-1778

During the 18th century, the French writers, philosophers and scientists were determined to improve the world through reason. Voltaire was the most famous of them all. No other writer was as frequently read and discussed. He was successful with his tragedies and poetry, he disseminated Newton’s philosophy to Europe and he was engaged in individual fates. For us, Voltaire is a symbolic figure, a socially engaged intellectual writer who fought for freedom of speech and other human rights. Such a notion is tinted by our modern viewpoint. But the important position Voltaire acquired in his time was a result of the independent manner with which he handled his role as writer.
This book provides an insight into Voltaire’s extensive and comprehensive authorship within fiction, history, philosophy and various socially engaged essays. We meet Voltaire as both controversial and moderate, radical and conservative, a contentious man who won many battles, but far from all, and he did his best to fashion his star status within his contemporaries and for future generations.

English sample translation available