Get to Know Émilie and Voltaire
No author could pretend to fully represent such intellectual titans as Émilie du Châtelet and Voltaire on the page. Their combined brilliance, vigor, and activism led them to forge lives that were more absurd and fantastical than any fiction could ever do justice. However, there are incredible resources available to trace their lives, both separately and together. Alas, much more information is available on Voltaire, of course, but I hope that in the coming years, public and academic interest in Émilie will greatly increase.
Below is a select roundup of books and places to explore in order to learn more about my two favorite characters, both in history and in fiction.
Books (and one play)
Émilie du Châtelet: Daring Genius of the Enlightenment by Judith P. Zinsser: This biography provides an in-depth look into Émilie du Châtelet's life and her accomplishments. It’s a rare to find a book that focuses on Émilie and makes Voltaire her side-kick!
Émilie: La Marquise du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight by Lauren Gunderson I love this play because it’s one of the only fictional works to feature Émilie front and center. Plus, it’s written by one of the most produced playwrights in America, who I am sure Émilie would be proud to have representing her.
Passionate Minds: The Great Enlightenment Love Affair by David Bodanis: This book explores the relationship between Émilie du Châtelet and Voltaire, shedding light on their intellectual collaboration and personal lives.
Seduced by Logic: Émilie Du Châtelet, Mary Somerville and the Newtonian Revolution by Robyn Arianrhod: This book explores the lives and intellectual passion of Émilie du Châtelet and Mary Somerville, both of whom defied societal norms to pursue their scientific ambitions and make groundbreaking contributions to mathematics and physics. The book skillfully intertwines their biographies, offering a captivating narrative of their scientific achievements and the challenges they faced in a male-dominated world.
Voltaire in Love by Nancy Mitford: Mitford was as witty as Voltaire. Written in 1957, her captivating storytelling vividly portrays the intellectual and emotional dynamics between the two historical figures, providing a compelling account of their love affair amidst the backdrop of the Enlightenment era.
The Art of Happiness: Reflections of Madame du Chatelet by Émilie du Châtelet, translated from the original French text by Sheila Oakley: While Émilie is most known for her scientific and mathematical works, she was also a philosopher in her own right. In this work, she writes her reflections on what it means to lead a life of purpose.
I snapped this photo on the grounds of the Château de Cirey in France, where both Émilie and Voltaire once engaged in profound intellectual work.
I had the opportunity to visit (and meet the château’s owners) in August 2023. You can find more photos on my Instagram feed.
Places
Château de Cirey (Région Grand Est Haute-Marne, France)
Émilie and Voltaire left the spotlights and judgments of the nobility in Paris to live at the Château de Cirey, a countryside estate owned by her husband, for several years. The château became a hub for intellectual pursuits, where they hosted writers, scientists, and other influential thinkers of the time. The couple's time at Cirey was incredibly fruitful, with both Voltaire and Émilie engaging in profound intellectual work. Émilie worked on translating and interpreting the works of Isaac Newton, which contributed significantly to the understanding and dissemination of Newtonian physics in France. Voltaire wrote some of his most important works during his stay at Cirey, including "Elements of the Philosophy of Newton" and "Essay on the Customs and the Spirit of the Nations.
The chateau is a few hours from Paris by car, but it is well worth the visit! It is privately owned and open to the public during the summer months, and the owners have put in enormous efforts to recreate the history of this home in honor of Émilie and her time with Voltaire.
Institut et Musée Voltaire (Geneva, Switzerland)
Voltaire lived in Switzerland for approximately 20 years until his death in 1778. Switzerland provided Voltaire with a relatively tolerant environment compared to the censorship he faced in other places, allowing him to express his ideas more freely and contribute to the Enlightenment movement. He lived at this house, called Les Délices, in Geneva for five years before moving to a more permanent residence, and this is where he wrote his celebrated Candide.
The Institut also houses rare artifacts that belonged to Émilie and Voltaire, including an original copy of her translation on Newton, an original copy of Candide, and a first edition of the encyclopedia. The staff are more than helpful and willing to talk about Voltaire and Émilie, especially if you email them ahead of time to inform them of your visit.
Voltaire Foundation (Oxford, England)
The primary mission of the Voltaire Foundation is to publish critical editions of Voltaire's complete works, including his letters, philosophical treatises, plays, and other writings. These editions are meticulously edited and annotated by leading scholars in the field, ensuring the highest standards of academic rigor and accuracy.