The first of three volumes of Voltaire's writings of 1746-1748, containing a major tragedy ("Semiramis", edited by Robert Niklaus), a comedy ("La Femme qui a raison", edited by Russell Goulbourne and Mark Waddicor), as well as the "Discours de M. de Voltaire a sa reception a l'academie francaise", edited by Karlis Raveskis, and Voltaire's shorter verse of 1746-1748, edited by R. A. Nablow. It underscores how Voltaire deployed his consummate skill as a writer across the full breadth of genres and forms, establishing himself as a multifaceted public intellectual.

1739-1741 were stressful but highly creative years for Voltaire, his output ranging from science to polemic, from politics to poetry. Scientific research remains at the forefront, with Voltaire championing Newton's theories despite the opposition of the scientific establishment. Voltaire was in this period anxious to consolidate his reputation, and his continuing reflections on the nature of a literary career led to the publication of both his personalised "Memoire du sieur de Voltaire" and more general reflections on literary quarrels in "Memoire sur le satire". Public quarrels had become an integral part of the 'Republic of Letters' and Voltaire's disillusionment is clear in "Lettres sur les inconvenients attaches a la litterature". His verse ranges from crude satire to some of his most touching lyric poetry in the "Stances a Madame Du Chatelet". Altogether, this collection brings together the complex and contrasting works of a complex and flexible writer.

Volume 163 in the North Carolina Studies in the Romance Languages and Literatures series.