Lespinasse, Julie de (1732–1776)
Lespinasse, Julie de (1732–1776)
French writer and salonnière. Name variations: L'Espinasse. Born Jeanne Julie Éléonore de Lespinasse in Lyons, France, Nov 9, 1732; died in Paris, May 23, 1776; illeg. dau. of Comtesse d'Albon and (probably) Comte Gaspard de Vichy; brought up as dau. of Claude Lespinasse.
Left penniless following mother's death, was invited to care for the children of Comte Gaspard de Vichy, who had married her half-sister Mme de Vichy; met Marie du Deffand, the salonnière, who employed her as a companion, and brought her to her home in Paris where Lespinasse lived on the floor above (1754–64); as she grew estranged from Deffand, founded her own salon in rue Saint-Dominique, which became the center for the writers of the famous Encyclopédie, edited by d'Alembert; her writings include not only her letters but also 2 chapters which were meant as a sequel to Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne.
See also Women in World History.