Jeanne Julie Éléonore de Lespinasse

Background

Jeanne Julie Éléonore de Lespinasse was born November 9, 1732, in Lyon, France, the illegitimate child of the Comtesse d'Albon.

Education

She acquired a basic education at a convent, but she was largely self-educated, an impressive feat given that she was later able to hold her own among France's top intellectuals.

Career

After a conventional education she became governess in the house of her half-sister, the Marquise de Vichy, and was brought to Paris in 1754 to act as a companion by Madame du Deffand. By 1764 she had eclipsed the Marquise, and with the help of friends she set up her own salon. An affair with Jean d'Alembert and another with the Marquis de Mora were followed by her great love for the Comte de Guibert; after Guibert's marriage to another woman Julie apparently died of despair, on May 23, 1776.

Her Lettres addressed to the Comte de Guibert (published by Madame de Guibert in 1809) and given to d'Alembert before she died are among the most moving descriptions ever written of unrequited love.

Achievements

• Onle after her death it was discovered, that she had a literary talent. She is best-known today, however, for her letters, first published in 1809, which offer compelling accounts of two tragic love affairs.

Personality

Although she had neither wealth nor rank and was not an outstanding beauty, Mlle de Lespinasse had intellect, charm, and ability as a hostess, qualities that made her get-togethers the most popular in Paris.

Connections

Father:

Julie-Claude-Hilaire d’Albon

aunt:

Madame du Deffand

Friend:

Jean le Rond d'Alembert