Voltaire publishes 'Philosophical Letters'

In 1729 Voltaire returned to France from his exile in England. Determined to present England as a model to his countrymen the great writer of the Enlightenment began writing plays in discrete imitation of Shakespeare. He also commenced work on his biography of the great Swedish King Charles XII. His greatest achievement to date, however, was published in 1734. 'Philosophical Letters' was an incisive critique of the religious establishment and the Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal. A warrant of arrest was issued in May and Voltaire was once again forced to flee Paris.