At the lavish court of Louis XIV, she stood out like a sore thumb: while the women around her were glamorous, graceful and illiterate, she was clunky, fierce, and bookish. The story of her world-changing contribution to science is as delightful as it is surprising: part frilly courtier, part mad-scientist, she fed her voracious appetite for books by sword-fighting and card-counting at Versailles. In this episode, visit the country chateau where she and her lover, Voltaire, became famous for living their best possible life.
Interview with guest Madame Contesse de Salignac Fenelon recorded on location at Chateau Cirey in Cirey-sur-Blaise, France. Émilie du Châtelet voiced by Emily Wadley.
Music featured in this episode included: “Cello Suite One in G Prelude” by JS Bach performed by John Michel, “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by the Wichita State University Chamber Players, “Monsieur’s Almain from the Manc” by Phillip Serna, “Brandenberg Concerto No 3 Allegro” by JS Bach performed by Advent Chamber Orchestra, “Andante from Italian Concerto, BWV 971″ by JS Bach performed by Catrin Finch.
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THE ABOLITIONIST Ellen Garrison
THE BYZANTINE Irene of Athens
THE BUTTERFLY IN THE SUN Mata Hari
THE COUNTERFEIT COUNTESS Janina Mehlberg
THE VOYAGER Hannah Masury Howe
THE SOLID CITIZEN Frances Perkins
THE EQUESTRIAN Anna Sewell
THE GUNG-HO ORIGINAL Helen Foster Snow
CHRISTMAS IN SWEDEN Selma Lagerlöf
THE WILD CHILD Alice Roosevelt
THE BOSTON BRAHMIN Ethel Gibson Allen
THE BLOOD COUNTESS Elizabeth Báthory
THE MONGOL KHATUN Genghis Khan's Daughters
THE QUEEN OF HAITI Marie-Louise Christophe
THE ANTI-FASCIST Gerda Taro
THE CLEANING LADY Seraphine of Senlis
THE WESTERN WOMAN Rattlesnake Kate Slaughterback
THE WOMAN KING Hatshepsut
THE PUNA HELE Mary Kawena Puku'i
THE ACCUSED Clara Ford
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