"Judge me for my own merits, or lack of them, but do not look upon me as a mere appendage to this great general or that great scholar, this star that shines at the court of France or that famed author. I am in my own right a whole person, responsible to myself alone for all that I am, all that I say, all that I do. it may be that there are metaphysicians and philosophers whose learning is greater than mine, although I have not met them. Yet, they are but frail humans, too, and have their faults; so, when I add the sum total of my graces, I confess I am inferior to no one."

Émilie, Marquise du Châtelet-Laumont

Source

Yes good answer Kelleygirl. She was in part responsable,of the "square2" in the equation of Einstein E=MC2. "NOVA" had a special tonight on A. Einstein and she was mentioned,among other great names( Faraday, Lavoisier, Maxwell etc..).

It was called "Einstein's big idea" very interesting.

I didn't see the Nova program, but after perusing Kellygirl's link I'm having a hard time understanding Mme. Émilie, Marquise du Châtelet-Laumont had to do with Einstein's theory, or why indeed she is even notable, other than the rarity of an 18C woman involved in the sciences.

Nova, program was featuring all the precursors who devoted their lifes in science related to Eintein's theory. E=MC2, they first started with the E for Energy and talked about Faraday and his work and so on with mass...

Einstein was able to put everything together and come out with the equation, which is the result of his genious along with the work of a lot of other people before him. Now here's another link about this woman.click here

By the way this film is for sale and called "Einstein big idea"