CHILDHOOD
Gabrielle Émilie Le Tunneler de Breteuil, Marquise Du Châtelet was born in Paris, France on December 17, 1706. She was born aristocrat by her mother, Gabrielle Anne de Froulay, Baronne de Breteuil and her father, Louis Nicholas le Tonnelier de Breteuil. She had two brothers, who one of them died right at birth.
Emilie lived in a time period where females were not allowed to have advanced education, however, by convincing her father that she needed more knowldge in academics, she was given the opportunity to hire her own teachers and overall, having a pretty good education. She studied and easily mastered Latin, Italian and English (she learned 6 languages overall).
Despite her talents for learning languages, what she loved the most was mathematics and science. This was not an appropriate view for ladies at that time to have interest in these subjects, so her mother even threatened to send her away from home (fortunately, he was saved by his father, who recognized her intelligence).
Despite her talents for learning languages, what she loved the most was mathematics and science. This was not an appropriate view for ladies at that time to have interest in these subjects, so her mother even threatened to send her away from home (fortunately, he was saved by his father, who recognized her intelligence).
ROMANCE
She had several lovers during the 1730, even though she was already married at the age of 19 (1725) to Marquis Florent du Châtelet and had already 3 children: a daughter and two sons.
She was mainly considered as Voltaire's mistress, as they had an intellectual alliance and affair in 1733 (her husband didn’t mind since him and her just lived on their own after getting married).
-From 1734 to 1749, she studied with Voltaire and debated about physical phenomena theories with him.
In 1748, she fell in love with Marquis de Saint-Lambert, a minor poet.
She was mainly considered as Voltaire's mistress, as they had an intellectual alliance and affair in 1733 (her husband didn’t mind since him and her just lived on their own after getting married).
-From 1734 to 1749, she studied with Voltaire and debated about physical phenomena theories with him.
In 1748, she fell in love with Marquis de Saint-Lambert, a minor poet.
ACHIEVEMENTS
She was Voltaire's mistress and collaborator (she helped him as his secretary, translator and protectress).
She helped Voltaire in writing his commentary on Newton's Principia and later on, they even worked together on a book called "Elements of Newton's Philosophy".
After being inspired by him, she worked on the French translation of Newton’s Principia too; from 1745, till her death. In spite of living in a time period where women we not allowed learn advanced mathematics, Du Châtelet's French translation was considered one highly noteworthy achievement of hers.
She published her own ideas and theories in a book called "Institutions de Physique"; her most famous work.
She helped Voltaire in writing his commentary on Newton's Principia and later on, they even worked together on a book called "Elements of Newton's Philosophy".
After being inspired by him, she worked on the French translation of Newton’s Principia too; from 1745, till her death. In spite of living in a time period where women we not allowed learn advanced mathematics, Du Châtelet's French translation was considered one highly noteworthy achievement of hers.
She published her own ideas and theories in a book called "Institutions de Physique"; her most famous work.