Rambouillet, Catherine de Vivonne, Marquise de (1588–1665)
Rambouillet, Catherine de Vivonne, Marquise de (1588–1665)
French salonnière. Name variations: Marquise de Rambouillet. Born in Rome, 1588; died in Dec 1665; dau. of Jean Vivonne, marquis de Pisani, and Julia (or Giulia) Savelli, a Roman woman of noble family; m. Charles d'Angennes, marquis of Rambouillet, 1600; children: Julie d'Angennes, duchesse de Montausier; Angélique d'Angennes (who was the 1st wife of the marquis de Grignan).
Known as the founder of preciosity, presided over the 1st of the salons which were to dominate French intellectual and literary life during 17th and 18th centuries; founded a salon in a mansion located near the Louvre, known as the Hôtel Rambouillet (1618), remodeling the structure so as to arrange a suite of large reception rooms for the purpose of gathering intellectuals, nobility, and literary greats for discussion; her salon served as the center of France's social and literary currents for 30 years.
See also Women in World History.