Scope and Content
Biographical note
Acquisition
Preferred Citation
Conditions Governing Use
Conditions Governing Access
Language of Material:
French
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Voltaire correspondence
creator:
Voltaire
creator:
Frederick, King of Prussia, II
Identifier/Call Number: 6006
Physical Description:
0.21 Linear Feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1741-1777
Abstract: A collection of correspondence to and from Voltaire, as well as three pages of poetry written by Voltaire. Many letters in
the collection are either to or from Frederick the Great, who was the King of Prussia from 1740-1786. The correspondence between
Voltaire and Frederick, as well as all the other correspondence in the collection covers such topics as freedom of expression
in 18th Century France and wars which were going on in Europe at the time. Voltaire was sick and apparently bed-ridden while
he wrote some of the later letters. Voltaire incorporated some poetry directly into his letters, but in this collection there
are also three pages of poetry dedicated to various people.
Scope and Content
There are 32 items in this collection, the majority of which are correspondence between Frederick the Great of Prussia and
Voltaire. In the letters between Frederick and Voltaire, they discuss such topics as religious freedom and freedom of expression
in France, the Catholic Church, the Seven Years War, the War of Austrian Succession, the health of Voltaire, and the talent
and skill of both men in writing poetry. There are also some other letters from Voltaire to various friends including the
Derrey de Rocqueville, who was a lawyer in the Parliament of Toulouse. These letters again discuss religious matters, certain
legal cases where a French citizen was unjustly prosecuted for being of the wrong faith, and the health of Voltaire. Three
pages of poems are also included in this collection, all written by Voltaire, and which include flowery language, many metaphors,
and references to mythological characters and gods. Several of the letters are signed by Voltaire. All of Frederick the Great's
letters are signed by him.
Biographical note
Voltaire, who wrote and received the letters in this collection, was born in 1694 and died in 1778. Voltaire was a pen name;
his full name was Francois Marie Arouet. Voltaire is known for his defense of the separation of church and state, and his
advocacy for freedom of religion and expression, topics which are all discussed in the correspondence within this collection.
Many of the letters in this collection were between Voltaire and Frederick the Great, who both seemed to admire each other
immensely. Frederick the Great was King of Prussia during the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War, and he wrote
several letters to Voltaire describing aspects of the wars. Several of the letters also mention and discuss a couple of cases
of Protestants in France who were being unjustly punished solely because of their faith. The cases mentioned include Jean
Calas and Pierre-Paul Sirven, both of whom were eventually exonerated thanks to Voltaire's efforts. Calas was executed, however,
before he was exonerated.
Acquisition
Purchased; transferred from the Hoose Library of Philosophy.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Voltaire correspondence, Collection no. 6006, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of
Southern California
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Philosophers -- France -- 18th century -- Archival resources
Correspondence
Poetry
Voltaire
Frederick, King of Prussia, II
Voltaire -- Correspondence
Calas, Jean -- Archives
Frederick, King of Prussia, II -- Correspondence
Peter, I (Emperor of Russia) -- Archives
Peter, III (Emperor of Russia) -- Archives
Sirven, Pierre-Paul -- Archives