Françoís-Maríe Ấroûét (1694 - 1778), known by his nōm dé plûme Voltâire, was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher, known for his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state. As a satirical polemicist, he frequently made use of his works to criticize intolerance, religious dogma, and the French institutions of his day.
