La Sablière, Marguerite de (1640–1693)

French patron and salonnière. Name variations: Mme de la Sabliere. Born Marguerite Hessein in 1640 in Paris; died Jan 5 (some sources cite Jan 8), 1693, in Paris; dau. of Gilbert Hessein and Margaret Menjot; educated by uncle Antoine Menjot and tutors; m. Antoine Rambouillet (1624–1680), also seen as Antoine de Rambouillet, seigneur de la Sablière (Protestant financier entrusted with administration of royal estates), Mar 15, 1654 (died 1679); children: Anne de Rambouillet; Nicolas de Rambouillet; Marguerite de Rambouillet.

French student of science and mathematics who hosted a popular salon frequented by geniuses; was married at 14 (1654); when marriage broke down (1667), sought refuge in a Catholic convent, but husband succeeded in gaining sole custody of their 3 children, whom she recovered only after his death (1679); lived with brother Pierre Hessein, making the home an important salon, a meeting-place for poets, scientists, writers, and brilliant members of the court of Louis XIV; received instruction in mathematics, astronomy, and physics from Giles Persone de Roberval and Joseph Sauveur, both members of French Academy of Sciences; was a friend and sometime patron of such writers as Moliere, Fontanelle, and La Fontaine (who is said to have lived with her for a number of years); for a time, was mistress of poet Charles Auguste, Marquis de La Fare (1676–82); converted to Catholicism (1685) and devoted herself to volunteer work for Hospital for Incurables; also began lengthy correspondence with Abbot de Rancé.

See also Women in World History.