Friday, May 18th, 2012
The Wowster looks at the early career of Call-Me-Frank Voltaire.
Who’d have believed it, the Great French man of letters Voltaire, was just a pushy, Call-Me-Frank sort of guy.
New letters have been uncovered that show Francois Voltaire knew how to turn a pretty penny or two starting with changing his name to Francis or, if you like, Frank.
Professor Nicholas Cronk says the philosopher king was hugely opportunistic with his snout located in the cultural trough of 18th century England.
The letters include a signed acceptance of a £200 grant from the Royal family:
How he became influenced by the work of English philosophers and scientists
How he dedicated a poem to Queen Caroline assumed to have earned him the £200
How he cosied up the great and the good by for instance visiting the home of Lord Bathurst at Richings, a country house in Buckinghamshire that survived until it was demolished after World War II.
Final complement to Frank: a brilliant social climber
The Wowster is the pen name of Nathan Goldberg, wowdewow publisher and founder. No social climber, he is a man of the people.
Do feel free to comment on whether this gives you a new take on Voltaire
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Tags: call me frank, man of letters, pushy, queen caroline, social climber, Voltaire
