Emilie
du Chatelet,
a Frenchwoman born in Paris in 1706, is noted for her determination
as anything else she achieved in her lifetime. She made achievements
in the the fields of mathematics at a time when women were not given
much notice academically. Born into nobility, du Chatelet still had
to persuade her father that she was bright enough to deserve some
special educational attention. Mostly self-educated, this woman was a
friend of Voltaire and other noted scientists of the 18th
century.
She is most noted for translating the works of Leibniz and Newton. One of her greatest accomplishments in the field of mathematics is her book, Institutions du physique. She is also known for her French translation of Newton's Principia..
Designed by Kathryn E. Castillo
Alic, M. (1986). Hypatia's Heritage: A History of Women in Science from Antiquity to the Nineteenth Century. London: Women's Press Ltd.
MIT Press (1997). Emilie du Chatelet (on-line) Available http://www.scottlan.edu/lriddle/women/chatelet.html