“I do not agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it (Beck 198) . » These words, spoken by Voltaire himself, are the perfect words to describe Voltaire's mission in life. Voltaire had a tremendous impact on the freedoms people enjoy today by defending to the death the human rights to freedom of speech, thought and religion through his philosophical skills influenced by other great philosophers. When a young boy named François-Marie Arouet was born in Paris, France on November 21, 1694, the surrounding citizens had no idea that he would one day become one of the greatest and most successful men most influential of the 17th and 18th centuries (European “Voltaire”). Keep in mind that he didn't exactly scream "great philosophical thinker," with his biting wit and cold disposition (Sherman "Voltaire"). Young François-Marie was often known to be vain, temperamental, disgruntled and generally witty and these qualities would eventually come back to bite him whenever he tried to make allies growing up. Conversely, they would help achieve Voltaire's human rights goals, as would his educational studies (Redman 7). Voltaire had many learning interests, but his father insisted that he attend law school, a subject in which he had no knowledge. an interest. He did higher education at Louis the Great and eventually Voltaire changed his major to literature, but not before getting those lessons in law. This little bit of knowledge would take Voltaire very far in his mission, as would his heavy list of occupations. As an author, Voltaire enabled humans to write over 70 novels about studies he found interesting, many of which were critical stories about people, places, governments... middle of paper. . is now a common thought - people are not expected to be ignorant; they are supposed to be informed. Voltaire informed and reformed the world with his views and ideas; while being influenced by other great philosophers. Although Voltaire and these other influential minds are no longer alive, their philosophies will continue to exist here for centuries afterward. Works Cited “Voltaire, François Marie Arouet DE”. European authors, 1000-1900. 1967. BiographyReference Bank (HW Wilson) Web. September 12, 2012. http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/delivery?sid=5f048571-1747-4a29-9af7-38...Redman, Ben Ray. The portable Voltaire. New York, New York. Viking Penguin, Inc., 1945Beck, Roger B. etal. History of the modern world: models of interaction. Philadelphia: RandMcNally, 2002. Sherman, Carol L. “Voltaire.” Advanced World Book. World Book, 2012. Web. September 242012.