One major figure of the enlightenment was French author and philosopher Francois-Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire. In his lifetime, he was a historian, essayist, playwright, storyteller, poet, philosopher, and wealthy businessman. Voltaire was born on November 21, 1694, in Paris to a middle-class family. He was the fifth child of his parents, the one of which survived. It is said to believe that he grew up with out his mother because she died when Voltaire was only …showed first 75 words of 992 total…

…showed last 75 words of 992 total…superficial, he did mean it to be constructive and wanted it to bring him and other the freedom of speech, religion, and political practices. Many of his plays and essays displayed this trait in him that made known for what he is known for, religious tolerance and criticism. Not one of his works shows this more than Treatise on Toleration. He tries to depict the role of the government and the equality of all men.