Lavoisier, Marie-Anne-Pierrette, 1758-1836

Marie-Anne Pierrette Lavoisier was a French chemist and noblewoman. Madame Lavoisier's first husband was chemist Antoine Lavoisier. She acted as his laboratory companion, using her linguistic skills to write up his work and bring it to an international audience. She also played a pivotal role in the translation of several scientific works, and was instrumental to the standardization of the scientific method.

In 1793 Antoine Lavoisier, due to his prominent position in the Ferme-Générale, was branded a traitor during the Reign of Terror by French revolutionaries. He surrendered to revolutionaries and was imprisoned at Port Libre. Throughout his imprisonment, Marie-Anne visited Lavoisier regularly and fought for his release. She presented his case before his accuser; she told of her husband's accomplishments as a scientist and his importance to the nation of France. Despite her efforts, Lavoisier was tried, convicted of treason, and executed on 8 May 1794 in Paris, at the age of 50.

After her husband's death, Marie-Anne became bitter. She was bankrupt following the new government's confiscation of her money and property (which were eventually returned). In addition, the new government seized all of Lavoisier's notebooks and laboratory equipment. Despite these obstacles, Marie-Anne organized the publication of Lavoisier's final memoirs, Mémoires de Chimie, a compilation of his papers and those of his colleagues demonstrating the principles of the new chemistry.

Marie-Anne remarried Benjamin Thompson in 1804. However, the marriage between the two was difficult and short-lived; they separated after three years. Marie-Anne insisted throughout her life that she retain her first husband's last name, demonstrating her undying devotion to him. Marie died very suddenly in her home in Paris on 10 February 1836, at the age of 78.