Genius Without a Beard

August 3, 2006 8:08 PM

The scientist whom history forgot: Emilie du Châtelet. Lover of Voltaire, genius without a beard, female scientist, mathematician and philosopher.
posted by MetaMonkey (10 comments total)

They did a segment on her in a recent NOVA about Einstein. Amazing person. Thanks for this post.
posted by homunculus at 8:27 PM on August 3, 2006

Excellent information, always good to read about little-known greats of science (of which there are tragically many).
posted by nightchrome at 8:56 PM on August 3, 2006

I think I still prefer Princess Elizabeth.
posted by oddman at 9:12 PM on August 3, 2006

MetaMonkey, Wonderful post! YAYY women of science! I saw the PBS that homunculus linked to and was excited to find out about her and her work. Thanks for putting excellent articles together.
posted by nickyskye at 9:17 PM on August 3, 2006

Newton and led to her glimpsing notions that would lead later researchers to the idea of conservation of energy fundamental to all subsequent physics.

Hmm, didn't newton come up with the idea of conservation of energy?
posted by delmoi at 9:21 PM on August 3, 2006

Anyway, reminds me of Eliza from The Baroque Cycle.
posted by delmoi at 9:23 PM on August 3, 2006

Hmm, didn't newton come up with the idea of conservation of energy?

No, he was a fan of conservation of momentum.
posted by chrismear at 11:10 PM on August 3, 2006

delmoi, maybe you're thinking of the law of inertia (Newton's 1st law) and what it iimplies, i.e. conservation of momentum?
posted by spazzm at 3:19 AM on August 4, 2006

Damn, I swear chrismear's comment wasn't there when I posted. Apologies. Must cut back on coffe.
posted by spazzm at 3:19 AM on August 4, 2006

Nice post. I'd heard of her but only (just as the article says) as a close friend of Voltaire. Very enlightening.
posted by storybored at 6:55 AM on August 4, 2006