Emilie du Chatelet portrait

This portrait of Émilie du Châtelet  is from David Eugene Smith's extensive collection of portraits, but is not easily found elsewhere.  Du Châtelet (1706-1749) for many years was the one person in France with whom Voltaire could easily discuss philosophical and scientific issues, and they co-authored a book dealing with Newton's philosophy.  She is most famous for her translation of Newton's Principia into French, the only such translation for many years thereafter.  For a detailed biography and access to other portraits of her, click here.