Voltaire vs William Shakespeare

How do Voltaire and William Shakespeare compare? Here is a side-by-side look at their lives, achievements and historical impact.

Voltaire William Shakespeare
Lifespan 1694 – 1778 1564 – 1616
Born Paris, France Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Occupation Writer, Philosopher Writer, Playwright, Poet
Known for Candide, Defending free speech and tolerance, Enlightenment wit Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, The sonnets
Fields Philosophy, History
Influence score 90/100 96/100

Voltaire

Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher and wit, a tireless champion of reason, free speech and religious tolerance and one of the most influential figures of his age.

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William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's preeminent dramatist.

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