Catherine Descartes

Catherine Descartes (left), Queen Christina of Sweden (center), René Descartes (right)

Catherine Descartes (1637–1706) was a French poet and philosopher, and the niece of French philosopher René Descartes.[1] A prominent figure in the French salon movement, her best known works included "Shade of Descartes" ("L'Ombre de Descartes") and Report on the Death of M. Descartes, the Philosopher.[1][2] She was also interviewed by her uncle's biographer Adrien Baillet following his death, due to her close relationship with him.[3] Regarded as one of the influential cartésiennes, a sub-movement of women who discussed the works of René Descartes, she became more critical of the masculine aspects of his philosophy later in life.[4]

  1. ^ a b Harth, Erica (1991). "Cartesian Women". Yale French Studies (80): 146–164. doi:10.2307/2930265. JSTOR 2930265.
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