François-Marie Arouet, known by his nom de plume Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, satirist, and historian. Famous for his wit and his criticism of Christianity (especially of the Catholic Church) and of slavery, Voltaire was an advocate of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state.
Voltaire was known in his social circles as a Deist and saw religion as a vital means for people to connect. Voltaire’s wit and wisdom allowed him to meet many notable people in his day, among them Brother Ben Franklin, whom Voltaire met at the Academy of the Sciences in 1778, while Brother Franklin was minister to France.
Ben Franklin had been a practicing Freemason for 40 years at that point, and was hoping to join la Loge des Neuf Sœurs (Lodge of the Nine Sisters) in France to form connections and bring aid to America during the American Revolution. Brother Franklin joined the Lodge of Nine Sisters in 1778 and, in April 1778, convinced Voltaire to join as an Entered Apprentice Freemason in Paris. Voltaire’s membership was representative of the free-thinking ideals of the Lodge of the Nine Sisters. Later, Ben Franklin would be raised to Venerable Master of The Lodge of Nine Sisters, serving from 1779 to 1781.
Voltaire became ill and passed away in Paris on May 30, 1778, writing, “I die adoring God, loving my friends, not hating my enemies, and detesting superstition.” Brother Voltaire left behind a rich life and legacy of seeking justice and standing firm in one’s beliefs, and is regarded as one of the leading minds of the Enlightenment era. Though he was only a Freemason for a short time, his exemplification of our core values, such as justice and tolerance, over the span of his life makes him a Brother for all to revere.
