Catherine de Parthenay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catherine de Parthenay
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| Born | March 22, 1554 |
| Died | October 26, 1631 (aged 77) Mouchamps
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| Nationality | French |
| Known for | Intelligence |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Influences | François Viète |
Catherine de Parthenay (born March 22, 1554 – died October 26, 1631) was a smart French noblewoman. She was also a talented mathematician. Catherine studied with a famous mathematician named François Viète. Many people thought she was one of the smartest women of her time.
She first married Charles de Quelennec. After he passed away, she married René II, Viscount of Rohan. He was a Huguenot, which was a name for French Protestants.
Contents
The Life of Catherine de Parthenay
Catherine came from the wealthy Parthenay-Leveque family. They were Huguenots from the Poitou region of France. Her grandmother was Michelle de Saubonne.
Early Life and Learning
From a young age, Catherine was very curious. She showed a strong interest in stars and planets, which is called astrology and astronomy. Because of her clear intelligence, her mother looked for a special teacher for Catherine.
They hired Francois Viete, who was known as the greatest mathematician of his time. Francois taught Catherine many subjects. These included geography, new discoveries, and knowledge about the universe. He also taught her a lot about mathematics. This likely made her even more interested in math and helped her become a mathematician.
Marriages and Family
Catherine married Charles de Quelennec when she was very young. He was the baron of Pont-l'Abbé. Sadly, Charles died during a terrible event called the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. He was defending a friend named Coligny.
Catherine became a widow at just 18 years old. She was considered one of the most intelligent women of her time. This made her a very good match for marriage. René, the youngest son of the Rohan family, wanted to marry her. Catherine was beautiful and smart. She agreed to marry René only after he became the viscount of Rohan. This happened when his older brother died, and René inherited the Rohan family's wealth.
Catherine's Children
Catherine and René had several children. Some of them became very famous:
- Henri II, Duke of Rohan: He grew up to be a well-known soldier and writer.
- Catherine de Rohan: She is an ancestor to many famous people, including Queen Elizabeth II.
- Benjamin, Duke of Soubise: He was also a notable figure.
- Anne de Rohan (1584-1646): She became a poet.
Images for kids
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Francois Viete was Catherine's mathematics tutor.
See also
In Spanish: Catherine de Parthenay para niños
