Dear Reader,

Voltaire was born on this day (November 21st, for the calendar-challenged and those who read this long after I post it) in 1694 as Francois-Marie Arouet.

Not content to be a philosopher and historian, Voltaire was a caffeine-o-holic like no other: he often downed more than 50 little cups of espresso daily.

That’ll give you the urge to write, no doubt.

Happy Birthday, Voltaire! I raise my paltry second cup of morning coffee to you.

More about Voltaire at Wikipedia.

Best,

Douglas Clegg