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 Oxford University Voltaire.
Project Director: Gillian Pink.
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
January 2026
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
January 2026
Copy of a letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, written from Potsdam and dated 20 July [1751] [D4525]
Voltaire followed numerous diet regimes to try and fix his notably poor health: vegetarianism and a milk diet being just two of many. With health kicks on many peoples’ minds this New Year, and with the return of Veganuary, the manuscript of the month this January features a wonderful discussion of the abundance of fruit available in Potsdam, even in the cold winters of January.
