Emilie du Châtelet

Émilie du Châtelet was an 18th-century French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist, best known for her work on Newtonian physics and her translation of Isaac Newton's "Principia Mathematica," which included her own commentary. She was a prominent figure in the Enlightenment, advocating for women's education and intellectual contributions. Du Châtelet's most significant scientific work is her book "Institutions de Physique," which explored energy conservation and laid the groundwork for modern physics. Despite facing societal challenges due to her gender, she made substantial contributions to science and philosophy, emphasizing reason and empirical evidence in understanding the natural world.