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Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet) (1694-1778) was a leading french philosopher during the Enlightenment, advocating broadened freedom (though a monarchist) and emphasizing his form of reason.  He wrote ''[[Candide]],'' a vicious satire on human nature, religion, slavery, and the optimistic philosophy of [[Leibniz]].  Increased freedom was Voltaire’s way of improving things.  Some of his ideas formed the basis of the French Revolution, thought he was always a staunch opponent of democracy and a proponent of religious freedom.

Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet) (1694-1778) was a leading french philosopher during the Enlightenment, advocating broadened freedom (though a monarchist) and emphasizing his form of reason.  He wrote ''[[Candide]],'' a vicious satire on human nature, religion, slavery, and the optimistic philosophy of [[Leibniz]].  Increased freedom was Voltaire’s way of improving things.  Some of his ideas formed the basis of the French Revolution, thought he was always a staunch opponent of democracy and a proponent of religious freedom.

Englishman John Locke (1632-1704) was the leading political philosopher, whose ideas helped the American colonists form a new government.  Locke described society as a contract between an individual and society.  This was a radical concept at a time when monarchs and the divine right of kings was the controlling theory.  Locke’s view helped lay the foundation for the constitutional government that we use in the United States.  Locke had built on the prior work of Englishmen Francis Bacon and Thomas Hobbes.

Englishman John Locke (1632-1704) was the leading political philosopher, whose ideas helped the American colonists form a new government.  Locke described society as a contract between an individual and society.  This was a radical concept at a time when monarchs and the divine right of kings was the controlling theory.  Locke’s view helped lay the foundation for the constitutional government that we use in the United States.  Locke had built on the prior work of Englishmen Francis Bacon and Thomas Hobbes. He also had enormous influence through his philosophical treatise ''An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,'' in which he sought to explain the nature of the human mind and ideas

Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780) was the leading legal authority on English law, upon which much American law is based.  Law students in America hear about him frequently in law school.  In “The Rights of Englishmen,” Blackstone described the source of the rights of the people.

Sir William Blackstone (1723-1780) was the leading legal authority on English law, upon which much American law is based.  Law students in America hear about him frequently in law school.  In “The Rights of Englishmen,” Blackstone described the source of the rights of the people.