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
June 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
June 2025
Letter from Voltaire to François de Chennevières, written in the hand of Jean-Louis Wagnière from Les Délices and dated 5 May [1760] [D8891]
On 5 May 1760, Voltaire dictated a very moving letter to François de Chennevières to his secretary Jean-Louis Wagnière at Les Délices. Though unsigned, the letter is a deeply personal one in which Voltaire says that his heart bleeds with the news that the Duc de Bourgogne is near death, and that the Duc de Berry is afflicted with the same illness. Indeed, he goes on to say that he does not want to believe that the news is true because it is too distressing.