In the early Eighteenth Century, intellectual themes were not part of women’s duties, and it was frowned upon for women to research and question. That is why it is so extraordinary that Émilie du Châtelet, a French woman, became a mathematician and scientist. Voltaire told the king of Prussia, Frederick the Great, in a letter that Châtelet was “a great man whose only fault was being a woman.”1
In 1706, when Émilie du Châtelet was born, French society had restraints on women that men did not face, such as not having real access to education. In Early Modern France, “the state would control the fathers, the fathers would control the families.”2 However, the Enlightenment Era did bring about enough change in France so that it was possible for Châtelet to become educated and advance in her career.3 She was lucky in the fact that she had an “unusually enlightened” father who gave Châtelet such a good education. She was educated in Latin, Italian, English, Spanish, Greek, Mathematics, Astronomy, Geography, and Poetry. Her mother also encouraged her and reflected a “cultivated background.”4
Châtelet changed and influenced society through her work on mathematics and scientific works. She published an introduction to Newtonian mechanics in 1740, and she even translated Newton’s Principia into French, with comments explaining the difficult mathematics to a popular audience.5 This was significant because not only could more of the population now read the works of Newton, but because of her commentary, more of the population could now understand it. It also introduced Newton into mainstream French scientific life. She went into detail on Newton’s theory of Gravity and she recast many of Newton’s theories and results in the “more powerful and suggestive notation of…. Calculus.”6 This had a great effect on the other scientists and mathematicians of the time. Châtelet’s work helped others to understand the complicated Newtonian system. By exploring Newton’s theses, and writing them for the educated public to read, Châtelet changed France.
Châtelet was married in June 1725 to Florent-Claude, marquis du Châtelet and count of Lomont. However, after only three years with her, he left to pursue a military career and rarely visited her. This is when Châtelet began an affair with Voltaire, another lover of Math and Science.7 In order to get her works published, Châtelet had to have Voltaire co-author them with her, but only his name appeared on the front cover. Emily Grosholz writes that Voltaire had not mastered the mathematics from the Principia, but instead relied on Châtelet to “write the technical sections of the book” he was writing called Elements of Newton’s Philosophy.8 Châtelet also discussed research on the solar system, electricity, and magnetism. She had just finished her translation of the Principia, when she died of “childbirth fever,” from a scandalous pregnancy with Voltaire.9
In her unusual career, Émilie du Châtelet worked with other famed scholars and succeeded in making mathematics a language that many more people could understand. As a woman, she opened the doors for other women to follow in her footsteps and she changed the world with her concepts and understandings of these men’s topics.
- Jerry Bentley, Herbert Ziegler, and Heather Streets-Salter, Traditions and Encounters: A Brief Global History, 4th ed., vol. 2 (McGraw Hill Education, 2016), 390. ↵
- James B. Collins, “The Economic Role of Women in Seventeenth-Century France,” French Historical Studies 16, no. 2 (Fall 1989): 436. ↵
- Ruth Hagengruber, “Emilie Du Châtelet, 1706–1749: Transformer of Metaphysics and Scientist,” The Mathematical Intelligencer 38, no. 4 (December 1, 2016): 1. ↵
- Ruth Hagengruber, “Emilie Du Châtelet, 1706–1749: Transformer of Metaphysics and Scientist,” The Mathematical Intelligencer 38, no. 4 (December 1, 2016): 2. ↵
- Emily Grosholz, “Candles in the Dark: Emilie Du Chatelet and Mary Somerville,” The Hudson Review, no. 4 (2013): 669. ↵
- Emily Grosholz, “Candles in the Dark: Emilie Du Chatelet and Mary Somerville,” The Hudson Review, no. 4 (2013): 669. ↵
- Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography, 2008, s.v. “Châtelet, Gabrielle-Émilie Le Tonnelier De Breteuil, Marquise Du.” ↵
- Ruth Hagengruber, “Emilie Du Châtelet, 1706–1749: Transformer of Metaphysics and Scientist,” The Mathematical Intelligencer 38, no. 4 (December 1, 2016): 2-3. ↵
- Emily Grosholz, “Candles in the Dark: Emilie Du Chatelet and Mary Somerville,” The Hudson Review, no. 4 (2013): 669. ↵
81 comments
Ana Gonzalez
You wrote a very interesting article! I love reading about the way women educate themselves and try to change society for the better. But I also think it’s very unfair that women were not allowed the same opportunities as men, like getting published because then they don’t receive the credit they deserve. When I read stories like the one of Emilie, I can’t help but think about the hundreds of women that were not able to live to their potential because society did not let them.But anyway, I loved your article! Great Job!
Nataly Solis Chavez
What an interesting topic and person in history to write an article about! Your article definitely did her justice as she was a valuable women who paved the way for many more women to come. It is unfortunate to read about the way she passed away but inspiring how working along side so many mathematicians and scientists who were men she was the one who managed to translate Newtons theories into French and even wrote additional commentary to make it understandable to the general population.
Mario Sosa
I have never heard of Châtelet, so it was very compelling to read how she was the person responsible for spreading Newton’s ideas into France. It is because of her that the people in France were able to learn from Newton. Another fascinating thing to me was how Voltaire saw Châtelet for inspiration. I enjoyed reading the article, keep up the good work!
Gabriela Serrato
I enjoyed reading this article as it highlights another woman’s success and knowledge that history usually pays no attention to. While everyone is familiar with Issac Newton and his discoveries, it is sadly true that I was not even aware of who Émilie Du Châtelet was. It also saddens me that she was not given authors credit on the cover of her work in order for it to be published simply because she is a woman. It is nice to see a woman still devote herself to her passion even without full credit being given.
Aimee Trevino
Great article! I really enjoyed your topic, as I had never heard of Emilie Du Chatelet. I personally find it so sad that women were not even allowed to have a voice during those times. I also think it is terrible that she was unable to get her name on her works, and had her husband gain all the credit. At least she lived a scandalous life, great read.
Hayden Hollinger
I had no previous knowledge of Emilie Du Chatelet so I was a bit sceptical at reading this article but I am happy I chose to. It is interesting to read an article on a woman breaking the stereotype and being equipped to break the system in the sense that she was such a small % of woman lucky enough to become educated and progress in her job. It is shocking to think a subject like women’s rights which was an issue in the 18th century is still a problem in 2017.
Zaraly Frasquillo
Great article Bailey! I think it’s crazy how back then no one would buy a book just because a woman wrote it. It is hard for me to believe that there was a time in where people actually thought it was a mistake to have been a woman. I am just so glad that I don’t live in that era, I feel like I would’ve gone in lots of trouble, because I would’ve not stayed silent! I thought this was a well-written article, and the capitalization, if any, did not distract me from the amazing content of the article. By the way, what a scandoulous way to die!?
Mariana Govea
Awesome Article! I love reading articles about women who have made an impact in our world today!
How fascinating and exciting to know that women still managed to pursuit whatever they wanted no matter what the circumstance was in that time period!Specially for her to have taken that big role in translating and helping other genius around that time do discoveries! As well as it makes me so happy to know that there was still men who regardless the situations that surrounded them and the discrimination against women, they still managed to ignore all of it and let women step up and helped the men in that era contribute to new discoveries!
Evon Baran
Wow. This is truly a great informative read. I have not heard of her before your article. I enjoyed reading it. Makes me curious about other fascinating women (and men) from the past that never received due credit.
Kathy Reeves
The story was so interesting it inspires me to read more about this women. Well thought out story.