Voltaire was highly regarded by many people in his own country, but to most people in England, he was just another Frenchman. When he visited London in 1727, he actually had good reason to fear for his life.

Walking along a street one day, he found himself facing an angry crowd of people. Calls of "Hang the Frenchman!" came from the throng.

Voltaire, however, was too quick to be outwitted by an unruly mob. Taking a couple of steps backward, he called out, "Englishmen! You want to kill me because I am a Frenchman? Am I not already punished enough in not being an Englishman?"

The crowd not only applauded, they saw to it that Voltaire got home safely.