Voltaire in the Enlightenment", begun by Bestermann as "Studies on Voltaire and the Eighteenth Century", which has reached more than 500 volumes. History Voltaire wrote between fifty and sixty plays, including a few unfinished ones. Among them are: Informational notes Citations Bibliography In French Primary sources Voltaire François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 169430 May 1778), known by his "nom de plume" Voltaire (; ), was a French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his wit, his criticism of Christianity, especially the Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and separation of church and state. Voltaire
Marie Besnard best writer. The 2006 television film "Marie Besnard, l'empoisonneuse" (Marie Besnard, the Poisoner), resulted in the 2007 Best Performance by an Actress Emmy Award for Muriel Robin in the title role. The English historian Richard Cobb presents a sympathetic portrait of Besnard in a lengthy essay in his book about French life, "A Second Identity" (1969). Marie Besnard Marie Besnard (15 August 1896 – 14 February 1980), also known as 'The Good Lady of Loudun', was accused serial poisoner in the mid-20th century. Besnard was first charged with multiple murder on July 21, 1949, under her maiden name, Marie Joséphine