On this day in 1778, the brilliant French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire (born François-Marie Arouet) passed away. Famous for his biting wit, he was a tireless champion of civil liberties, religious freedom, and free trade.

Voltaire was a literary powerhouse, writing everything from plays and poetry to history and science. His massive body of work includes over 2,000 books and pamphlets and more than 20,000 letters. Despite facing strict censorship and heavy penalties, he never stopped pushing for social reform, using his sharp satirical voice to challenge the intolerance, dogma, and institutions of his time.