What work is Voltaire best known for and why?

Uncover the controversy surrounding Enlightenment writer Voltaire's life and work, including Candide, and the details of his resulting arrests and exiles, at Biography.com. read more

To the general public, he is best known for "Candide", a well-written satire of Enlightenment thought (particularly the 'perfectability of man') taken to extremes. Still in print, it holds up well, even if you don't 'get' the satire, but even better when you do. read more

A good portion of his work was suppressed, and the authorities even ordered certain books to be burned by the state executioner. To combat the censors, Voltaire had much of his output printed abroad, and he published under a veil of assumed names and pseudonyms. read more