Les Neuf Sœurs Archieven - De Vrijmetselaar

Voltaire's initiation into the Masonic lodge Les Neuf Sœurs in 1778

Voltaire as Freemason: The Philosophy Behind His Initiation

What drove one of the sharpest minds of the eighteenth century to become a Freemason at the age of eighty-four? Voltaire — the man who challenged kings and defied churches — chose to be initiated into the Parisian lodge Les Neuf Sœurs in 1778. Was this the whim of an aging philosopher, or the logical culmination of a lifetime spent in pursuit of reason, tolerance, and truth? A closer look at the thinkers and traditions that shaped Voltaire reveals why Freemasonry was far more than a social club for him — it was the embodiment of everything he believed in. Why Did Voltaire Join Freemasonry? At first glance, it seems paradoxical. Voltaire was a famous skeptic, a relentless critic of dogma and superstition. Why would such a man join a fraternity steeped in ritual, symbolism, and mystery? The answer lies in the philosophical tradition Voltaire cherished throughout his life. Eighteenth-century Freemasonry was not a religious movement — it was a meeting place for like-minded individuals united by shared values: tolerance, brotherhood, and the unending search for truth. For Voltaire, this was precisely what he had been seeking. He had spent decades championing religious tolerance and fighting fanaticism. In the lodge, […]

Portrait of Voltaire in connection with his Masonic initiation in 1778

Voltaire as Freemason: His Initiation and Shared Values

Can a man who questions every authority willingly submit to a ritual initiation? This paradox takes center stage when we consider François-Marie Arouet — better known as Voltaire — and his entry into Freemasonry in 1778. The philosopher who challenged kings and exposed religious dogma knelt down in the final months of his life to become an Entered Apprentice. What drove him to take this step, and what values did he share with the Craft? Initiation at the Lodge of the Nine Muses On April 7, 1778, barely two months before his death, Voltaire was initiated into the Parisian lodge Les Neuf Sœurs (The Nine Muses). He was 83 years old, physically weakened by illness, yet mentally as sharp as ever. The lodge counted among its members some of the most prominent thinkers, artists, and scientists of the age. Benjamin Franklin, the American statesman and inventor, was present at the ceremony and would later inherit Voltaire’s Masonic apron. It is a striking image: two towering icons of the Enlightenment, united in a ritual space. Why did Voltaire wait until so late in life to make this decision? Was it sentiment, curiosity, or genuine conviction? Perhaps all three. Freemasonry offered him […]