What if Voltaire witnessed the Rule of Terror?

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Voltaire wrote famously: "Monsieur l'abbé, I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write." Now he died before the French Revolution started, let alone the terror regime of Robespierre.

But what if he had witnessed it? How would his most likely reaction have been? Admittedly, he would have been more than 90 years old, so we should rather wonder about an earlier revolution / rule of terror.

But I digress, so here is what I have been pondering:
* Would he have joined the noblemen and abbes on their way to the guillotine, rather than compromise his principles?
* Would he have tried a meek protest, only to be told to shut up if he doesn't want to suffer the same fate?
* Or would he even have shown a different side of personality which he never did in our history? Which would mean: He would have joined the radicals, openly proclaiming that human rights only apply to the third estate, not to noblemen.
 
* Or would he even have shown a different side of personality which he never did in our history? Which would mean: He would have joined the radicals, openly proclaiming that human rights only apply to the third estate, not to noblemen.

Definitely not this.
 
He would have moved to England and alternately scolded and made fun of everyone involved.

I agree, but another question is would he have lived this long. If he lived to see the Reign of Terror he would have lived to be 99 years old. :eek: Not ASB, but a little of a stretch. Also, its not that much of a stretch when you take "Europe's oldest soldier" into account.

Also, if Voltaire managed to escaped to England he could have escaped the guillotine. But, even if he didn't and was arrested in France, he would have been 99. Would even the Jacobins and other radicals have been so gung-ho about executed Voltaire if he was going to probably die soon anyway? In that case he's spend the rest of his life in prison.
 
Voltaire lived in Geneva for much of his life, so he would be an outside observer to the revolution. Most likely, his contribution will be limited to a few acerbic comments and admonishing letters. Also, I don't think he would take the terreur that seriously initially. Overblown stories, excusable excesses ... gradual realisation, cognitive dissonance ... and the need to defend earlier writings. I can see him as a mild critic, generally supportive of the revolution, but cynical about the whole "virtue" thing.
 
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