The essay
VOLTAIRE (FRANCOIS MARIE AROUET, his true name) - one of the most famous of French writers - was born, according to his own account as given in later life, on the 20th of February, 1694, at Chatenay, near Sceaux. The register of his baptism, however, assigns Paris as the place of his birth, and dates it November 21st of that year. His father was Francois Arouet, a notary of the Chatelet, ultimately Treasurer of the chamber of Accounts.