Du Deffand, Marie de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise

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Marie de Vichy-Chamrond Du Deffand, marquise (märē´ də vēshē´-shäNrôN´ märkēz´ dü dĕfäN´), 1697–1780, French woman of letters, whose salon was frequented (1753–80) by the leaders of the Enlightenment. She is widely considered the most brilliant woman of her era. Her letters (1766–80) to Horace Walpole, whom she loved deeply, are typical of her brilliant, witty correspondence.

See B. Craveri, Madame du Deffand and Her World (1995)

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Du Deffand, Marie de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise

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Du Deffand, Marie de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise