Emilie du chatelet was a french philosophe, author and translator who was active from the early 1730s until her tragic death in 1749 she died six days after giving birth in her early 40s. A few years ago i was researching a book about einstein when i stumbled on a footnote about an obscure frenchwoman of the early 18th century. Emilie du chatelet stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Emilie du chatelet was one of the most influential philosophers of the enlightenment. Emilie du chatelets book was for many years the only available translation of newtons principia into french, and the translation and insightful commentary probably helped advance science in france. Home tours of the chateau voltaire emilie du chatelet a love story voltaire and emilie picture gallery voltaires writing emilie s writing the little theater at cirey restoration of the chateau poetry tribute to voltaire tour hours, map and places nearby. Her most recognized achievement is her translation of and commentary on isaac newtons 1687 book principia containing basic laws of physics. Discover emilie du chatelet famous and rare quotes. The major scientific debate afoot in the 1740s was between isaac newtons system describing the motion of the universe including gravity and gottfried leibnizs opposing views on how space, time, and force worked. Because of her wellknown collaborations with voltaire, which spanned much of her adult life, for generations du chatelet has been viewed primarily as a handmaiden to her much better known. Her writings on natural philosophy, physics and mechanics had a decisive impact on the important scientific debates of the 18th century. The soft cover version of dame despirit, zinssers emilie du chatelet explores the life of a 18th century woman driven to expand on the scientific and philosophical debates of her day, while also capable of relishing the social and political duties of upperclass women in enlightenment france.
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