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
June 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
June 2026
Receipt signed by Gabriel Grasset for the manuscript of ‘Histoire de l’établissement du Christianisme’, which he undertakes to print, dated 1 June 1774
In Histoire de l’établissement du christianisme, Voltaire discusses hypocrisy, fanaticism, radicalism, and superstition in the context of monotheistic religions. Positioning himself in opposition to superstitious practices, Voltaire rejects the radicalism and violence caused by them, offering a critique of Christianity whilst never denying the presence of God. The work was a controversial one, touching on freedom of thought and tolerance, and was therefore published under a pseudonym, Mr. Mallé, secretary to Lord Bolingbroke, in 1777.
