Isaac Newton's Most Important Translator in France: Who is Emilie du Chatelet?

You probably haven't heard the name Emilie du Chatelet much. But without her contributions, the French Enlightenment of the 1700s might have progressed very differently.

While Voltaire was an important name in the intellectual and political life of the 18th century, he was also interested in mathematics. Because Newton and Emilie du Chatelet, who translated Newton into French, were at the center of his life. But still, fate did not change. For generations, Chatelet has been described in two ways, rather than as an independent figure in her own right. The first one was described as Voltaire's mistress/lover due to her relationship with him, and the second one was Isaac Newton's most important translator in France...

Emilie du Chatelet in short

French mathematician, physicist, philosopher, and translator Emilie du Chatelet was born in Paris in 1706. Chatelet, the daughter of linguist and musician Baron Luis Nicholas le Tonnelier, completed her education at home. She started speaking 6 languages successfully. Since she belonged to an aristocratic family, leading scientists and mathematicians of the period frequently came to her house.

Realizing his daughter's talent, her father introduced her to these people. Afterwards, she would have the chance to meet the queen and gain her admiration for her beauty. His interest in physics and mathematics began during this period. In 1725, at the age of 19, she married Marquis Florent du Chatelet-Lemont and became a marquise. She later became the first female member to join the royal court. His interest in science continued during this period. She improved her knowledge with the additional courses she took.

She was also in frequent contact with leading international mathematicians such as Leonhard Euler and Johann Bernoulli. Frederick the Great of Prussia was an admirer of Du Châtelet. He corresponded with her regularly and introduced her to Leibniz's work. In 1733, Du Châtelet became close to the famous writer, historian, and philosopher Voltaire.

Gabrielle Émilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, Marquise du Châtelet (17 December 1706 – 10 September 1749) was a French natural philosopher and mathematician from the early 1730s until her death due to complications during childbirth in 1749. Her most recognized achievement is her translation of and commentary on Isaac Newton's 1687 book Philosophia Naturalis Principia Mathematica containing basic laws of physics. The translation, published posthumously in 1756, is still considered the standard French translation.

She admired Voltaire's poetry, philosophy, and scientific culture. With her support, Voltaire published his Philosophical Letters in 1734. These letters became a turning point not only in the French Enlightenment but in the cultural history of all of Europe. These letters were so shocking for France that the work was banned and burned "because it was deemed dangerous for religion and political order."

In 1734, Voltaire had to leave Paris due to an arrest warrant issued against him. At this time, he took refuge in Chatelet's Cirey Castle in Champagne. Here, the couple spent their time constantly writing and having intellectual and scientific discussions. The castle in Cirey, which also housed a physics laboratory, became the center of literary and philosophical activities.

Chatelet, who continued her scientific studies during her 15-year association with Voltaire, also gave constant support to Voltaire. As a result of these studies, she continued her studies on a wide range of subjects, ranging from Euclid, Newton, and the Greek and Roman classics to Locke.

Émilie Du Châtelet is generally remembered for her translation of Isaac Newton's Principia Mathematica. But her work was much more than a simple translation. This was due to the extensive commentary she included in the translation. In this interpretation, she formulated the principle of conservation of energy.

Chatelet ended her relationship with Voltaire for Jean Francois de Saint-Lambert, one of the famous poets of the French Revolution. Afterwards, she started living with Lambert. Throughout her life, Du Chatelet pursued her own interests, the opposite of what was expected of women. But tragically, she could not escape the dangers of being a woman at a time when reliable birth control and gynecological care were unavailable.

When Chatelet died during the birth of her child with Lambert, her husband, the Marquis, Voltaire, and Lambert were at her bedside. This genius woman, who died at the age of 43, was in rebellion against patriarchy.

Voltaire summarizes how dominant the mentality of the time was in these words praising Emilie du Châtelet. "A great man whose only fault was being a woman."