Émilie du Châtelet

About Émilie du Châtelet

Emilie du Chatelet was a French physicist and mathematician, who translated Isaac Newton's “Principia Mathematica”.

Background

Paris was her hometown and her father was Louis Nicolas le Tonnelier de Breteuil, a high ranking official of the court of Louis XIV.

Education

She had her education at home. She knew how to speak six languages at the age of 12. She developed a great interest in math and science at a young age.

Career

She learned mathematics and science from popular scholars. She had a primary interest in natural philosophy. She conducted research in secret for several months in 1737 and participated in a contest. This contest was sponsored by the French Academy of sciences on the nature of light, heat and fire. She didn’t win this contest, but her paper was published and it received positive reviews. 

The natural philosopher also worked on the Manuscript “Foundations of Physics”, in which she considered the philosophical basis of science.

Achievements

Her biggest contribution to science was her elucidations of the concepts of energy and energy conservation.

Death

She died from pulmonary embolism in 1749.

Émilie du Châtelet photo gallery

Title

In the frontispiece to Voltaire's interpretation of Isaac Newton's work, Elémens de la philosophie de Newton (1738), the philosophe sits translating the inspired work of Newton. Voltaire's manuscript is illuminated by seemingly divine light coming from Newton himself, reflected down to Voltaire by a muse, representing Voltaire's lover Émilie du Châtelet—who actually translated Newton and collaborated with Voltaire to make sense of Newton's work.

Author

Mr. De Voltaire : Elémens de la philosophie de Newton, mis à la portée de tout le monde, éditeur Etienne Ledet et Compagnie

Source

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Voltaire_Philosophy_of_Newton_frontispiece.jpg

License

Public domain

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F.A.Q. about Émilie du Châtelet

When is her birthday?

Émilie du Châtelet's birthday is on December 17, 1706.

In how many days is her birthday?

Émilie's birthday is in 40 days

How old was Émilie when she died?

She was 42 years old.

When did she die?

She died in September 10, 1749.

How old would she be today?

Émilie du Châtelet would be 317 years old if she was alive today.

Where was Émilie from?

She was born in Paris, France.