Top 10 Fun Facts About Voltaire: Uncovering the Witty, Daring, and Fascinating Sides of Paris' Legendary Thinker

1. Bastille Stay and Pseudonyms Galore

Bastille blues and a case of mistaken identity: Voltaire, known for his sharp wit and dramatic criticism, was actually imprisoned in the notorious French slammer only once from May 1717 to April 1718, despite popular rumors of repeat visits. As for his pen name collection, this literary chameleon sported over 178 different disguises, stunning previous estimations that pinned him at a mere 150.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Law School Dropout Turned Literary Icon

Though Voltaire couldn't catch a break as a sickly law school dropout, he found his purpose in academia, channeling his inner Elle Woods to become the "Legally Brunette" of the French literary world: Voltaire rose to prominence through his brilliant writing and theatrical prowess, forming influential connections and advocating for freedom and justice, even while facing numerous "exiles" due to his sharp wit and cheeky demeanor.
Source => cliffsnotes.com

Did you know Benjamin Franklin's cheeky annual publication, Poor Richard's Almanack, entertained the masses for 25 years, but hardly made him a fortune? Discover more about this fascinating endeavor!

=> Fun Facts about Benjamin-Franklin

3. Coffee Addict Supreme

If Voltaire were alive today, he might just give Starbucks a run for their money: The esteemed writer and philosopher was a true coffee aficionado, consuming 50 cups a day infused with chocolate, and even incentivizing his servants to fetch him his favorite beans. Despite his doctor's warnings, Voltaire defied the odds and lived to the ripe old age of 84.
Source => brownjenkins.com

4. Prison, Lottery, and Mysterious Pen Name

Like a witty, rebellious schoolboy who can't help but pass satirical notes in class, Voltaire ended up in detention, only to become the wealthiest kid on the block: His literary exploits not only resulted in a stint in prison for scandalous verse, but his cunning exploitation of a French lottery loophole also secured him a fortune of nearly half a million francs. As for his pen name, the origins are as elusive as his mischievous grin, with scholars speculating that "Voltaire" is an anagram of a Latinized version of his last name, "Arouet".
Source => history.com

5. Literary Vigilante for Truth and Tolerance

Hypocrisy-fighting superhero with a pen as his weapon and a relentless quest for truth as his cape – meet Voltaire, literary vigilante extraordinaire! When he wasn't too busy writing the French aristocracy and the Catholic Church's "roast of the century" in the form of satire, he championed tolerance and free speech with unmatched wit: Amidst a flurry of censorship and government persecution, the ever-versatile Voltaire produced plays, poems, novels, and even historical works, all while spreading his message of freedom and enlightenment.
Source => britannica.com

6. Power Couple for the Intellectual Ages

Step aside Romeo and Juliet, there's a new power couple in town, and they're tackling everything from science to philosophy: Voltaire and Madame du Châtelet not only enjoyed a long, love-filled relationship but also collaborated on groundbreaking research, translations, and writings, even joining forces for a submission to the prestigious Paris Academy prize contest, all while debunking gossip with their unwavering loyalty to each other.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Jester of Philanthropy and Quake Relief

They say laughter is the best medicine, but who knew the original doctor of chuckles was none other than Voltaire, the Great Jester of Philanthropy? Dispensing both wit and dough like there was no tomorrow: Amidst creating clever quips, Voltaire played a pivotal role in the 1755 relief efforts for the disastrous Lisbon earthquake, urging fellow citizens to pitch in and collecting substantial sums to rebuild the shattered city – truly showcasing his commitment to not only tickling the funny bone but also mending the broken ones.
Source => laphamsquarterly.org

8. Master of Pen-Name Disguise

Who needs one pen name when you can have 178? Voltaire, the human pen-name-icopia, was a firm believer in the "more the merrier" motto when it came to keeping his identity a secret: The witty French writer, known by his famous pseudonym "Voltaire," actually used over 178 different aliases to publish his works, such as Guillaume Vadé, Frère Cosme, Horace Audé, and Corneille de Lyon. The origin of his most famous name remains shrouded in mystery, with guesses ranging from clever anagrams to word mashups, but one thing's for sure – it helped him become one of history's most adored literary chameleons.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. The Irony of Candide's Censorship

Oh, the irony of the divine comedy: Voltaire's "Candide" found itself banned not only by the French government and the Catholic Church, but also deemed a smutty affair by U.S. Customs until the 1950s, and earned a prominent spot on the Catholic Church's Index of Forbidden Books. Still, the scrumptious scandal only added fuel to the fires of its popularity, and the book remains a classic, flying high in the world of literature today.
Source => booksontrial.com

10. Voltaire's Mischievous Bones

Who said fanatics can't play hide-and-seek? In a twisted game of "Where's Waldo?" meets "Bones," Voltaire's remains decided to play a little prank on their keepers: Despite all the rumors about religious fanatics stealing Voltaire's bones and dumping them in the Seine, a 1898 article revealed the great thinker's remains were just hanging out, bunched up in a jumble, still safe and sound in the Pantheon.
Source => solosophie.com