Oration on Voltaire

Name: Oration on Voltaire
Author: Victor Hugo

By Victor Hugo

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French Literature

About This Book

A commemorative speech delivered at the centenary of Voltaire's death examines the paradox of human progress as both an evolution and a revolt against the past. The orator portrays Voltaire as the conscience of an age who challenged despotism, priestcraft, and inherited authority, highlighting his role in advancing reason, tolerance, and secular liberty. The address balances admiration with recognition of the hostility reformers face, warns that social advance requires replacing superstition and tyranny with knowledge and compassion, and reflects on memory, civic responsibility, and the moral duties that sustain a free society.

About the Author

Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) was a prominent French writer, poet, and playwright, known for his significant contributions to literature and social justice. His most famous work, "Les Misérables," explores themes of redemption and the struggles of the poor in 19th-century France. Hugo's literary career spanned various genres, including novels, poetry, and essays, with notable works such as "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" and "Ninety-Three." He was also an outspoken advocate for human rights and political reform, using his platform to address social issues of his time. Hugo's legacy endures as a key figure in the Romantic literary movement, influencing generations of writers and thinkers.