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Nicolas de Largillière · CC0
Figure France thinker

Voltaire

1694 CE – 1778 CE · 84 years

The most dangerous writer in Europe — imprisoned in the Bastille, exiled to England, courted by kings, and feared by the Church. How François-Marie Arouet became Voltaire and changed the way the West thinks about freedom.

On the record: Voltaire

Wikipedia

The opening of the article, and a way into the rest of it without leaving the site.

Voltaire on Wikipedia.

Running at the same time

Records whose own span overlaps this one, found by the same test the canvas draws with. The bar under each card is where it sits inside this one.

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Alive at the same time

Overlap Same years; not influence

  • John Locke 1694 CE–1704 CE · 11 shared years
  • Louis XIV 1694 CE–1715 CE · 22 shared years
Image credits 7 pictures from Wikimedia Commons