An Oxford academic has uncovered letters by Voltaire which reveal how much this icon of French writing profited financially and intellectually from a stay in England. They include a signed acceptance from the 18th Century writer for a £200 grant from the English Royal Family. The writer abandoned the French spelling of his first name, Francois, styling himself "Francis". Professor Nicholas Cronk says Voltaire was "hugely opportunistic". There are 14 newly-discovered letters which are being studied by the Oxford-based Voltaire Foundation, which is carrying out a mammoth work of scholarship, which will have taken 50 years to produce a definitive collected work of all Voltaire's writing.
An Oxford academic has uncovered letters by Voltaire which reveal how much this icon of French writing profited financially and intellectually from a stay in England.
They include a signed acceptance from the 18th Century writer for a £200 grant from the English Royal Family.
The writer abandoned the French spelling of his first name, Francois, styling himself "Francis".
Professor Nicholas Cronk says Voltaire was "hugely opportunistic".
There are 14 newly-discovered letters which are being studied by the Oxford-based Voltaire Foundation, which is carrying out a mammoth work of scholarship, which will have taken 50 years to produce a definitive collected work of all Voltaire's writing.
