François-Marie d'Arouet (1694–1778), better known as Voltaire, was a versatile French writer, historian and philosopher. He was an outspoken supporter of political and social reforms. Voltaire's works and ideas were influential in the subsequent development of the European philosophy and had a striking impact on American and French revolutions.
Voltaire was famous for his wit and style in writings criticizing the King and the Church. He rejected religious authorities, but was not against the concept of religion itself. One of the memorable aphorisms of Voltaire "If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him" was meant as a retort to atheistic opponents and implied that belief in God is necessary for society to function.
