early–mid 18th centuryReputable sourceWell documented
Voltaire and the Fight for Tolerance
On the timeline · around early–mid 18th century ·
What happened
The French writer Voltaire became the most famous voice of the Enlightenment, wielding wit and satire against religious intolerance, censorship, and abuses of power. A champion of freedom of speech and religious toleration, he was imprisoned and exiled for his views but never silenced.
Why it matters
Voltaire made the Enlightenment a public crusade for civil liberties and freedom of thought. His defense of tolerance and free expression remains a touchstone of liberal values to this day.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Voltaire · Reputable source