Marguerite de la Sablière facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marguerite de la Sablière
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| Born |
Marguerite Hessein
1640 |
| Died | 8 January 1693 (aged 52–53) |
| Nationality | French |
| Spouse(s) | Antoine de Rambouillet |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | mathematics, physics, astronomy, philosophy, history, writing |
Marguerite de la Sablière (born around 1640 – died January 8, 1693) was a very smart French woman. She was known for hosting famous thinkers and artists in her home, a bit like running a special club for brilliant minds! She was also a polymath, meaning she was good at many different subjects like math, science, and writing. Marguerite was a good friend and supporter of the famous writer Jean de La Fontaine. Her maiden name was Marguerite Hessein. She was married to Antoine Rambouillet, a wealthy businessman and poet.
Contents
Her Life and Learning
Early Education
Marguerite de la Sablière received an excellent education. She learned Latin, mathematics, physics, and even anatomy (the study of the body). Some of the best teachers of her time taught her. For example, Joseph Sauveur and Gilles Personne de Roberval taught her math, physics, and astronomy.
A Hub for Great Minds
Her house in Paris became a popular meeting place. Poets, scientists, and writers gathered there. Even important people from the court of King Louis XIV visited her. It was a place where smart people could share ideas and discuss new discoveries.
Supporting Talented Friends
Around 1673, Marguerite invited the famous writer Jean de La Fontaine to live in her house. She took care of all his needs for twenty years. This allowed him to focus entirely on his writing without worries. Another friend who lived with her was François Bernier, a traveler and doctor. He wrote a shorter version of the philosopher Gassendi's works especially for Marguerite.
Facing Criticism and Support
Not everyone appreciated her interest in science. The writer Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux made fun of her scientific efforts. He wrote that her attempts to observe Jupiter with an astrolabe (an old tool for measuring stars) were making her eyesight weak and ruining her looks. However, Charles Perrault defended her in his own writing, showing his support.
Later Life and Good Works
Marguerite had a close friendship with the poet Charles Auguste, marquis de La Fare. This friendship ended in 1679. After this, Marguerite spent more and more time helping others. She dedicated much of her time to a hospital for people who were very ill. Her husband passed away in the same year, which made her even more serious about helping others. She later became a Catholic. Marguerite de la Sablière died in Paris on January 8, 1693.
Starting a Trend
Milk in Tea
Marguerite de la Sablière is often given credit for starting a new custom. People say she was the first to put milk into tea in her salon. She supposedly did this to stop her delicate teacups, which were made of eggshell, from cracking from the heat of the tea. This small habit then became popular!
