Welcome to the Voltaire Studio, a groundbreaking suite of digital resources that enables you to explore the life and works of the major Enlightenment figure, Voltaire. The studio comprises two comprehensive databases: the Library of Voltaire, which contains records of all books and manuscripts known to have been part of his personal collection, and the Catalogue of Manuscripts (CMV), a digital union of detailed records of manuscripts in Voltaire’s hand, his works, letters, and other documents addressed to or about him.
In time, the Voltaire Studio will expand with the addition of a digitised version of Voltaire’s biography and an iconography database, ultimately connecting with the online edition of his works currently under construction.
Library of Voltaire
Explore the incredible diversity of books that were part of Voltaire’s library.
Catalogue of Manuscripts
Delve into the vast collection of Manuscripts relating to Voltaire
“Je ne peux vivre sans livres. Une campagne sans eux serait pour moi une prison.”
“Comme j’imagine que vous avez actuellement quelque loisir j’en abuse peutêtre en vous priant de jeter les yeux sur le manuscrit que j’ai l’honneur de vous envoyer.”
Library Item of the month
April 2025
Du comte de Féketé, chambellan de l’Impératrice-Reine
The manuscript is a collection of poems by Count Féketé, Chamberlain to the Empress-Queen. The title ‘Du comte de Féketé, chambellan de l’Impératrice-Reine’ is written in Voltaire’s hand.
Manuscript of the month
April 2025
Presentation copy of ‘La Pucelle d’Orleans’, written in the hand of Wagnière and dating to c.1742
What could be more fitting for National Poetry Month, than a presentation copy of one of Voltaire’s most contentious poetic works: La Pucelle d’Orleans. This satirical and irreverent retelling of the story of Joan of Arc was banned (and at times burned) over the two centuries that followed its publication, representing perhaps the most expressive criticism of superstition in his œuvre.