Voltaire in Ferney Voltaire

Ferney Voltaire is in France, but right on the border with Geneva.
Voltaire, successful business man, playwrite, philosopher and, some say, the father of the human rights movement, went to live there in the 18th century, late in his life, as a political refugee from the King in Paris. Any trouble and he could nip over the border!
He was a great benefactor to the town, using his wealth and influence to improve life there and 'put it on the map', hence the addition of Voltaire to the original Ferney and this statue on the main street.