Pascal, Jacqueline (1625–1661)

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Pascal, Jacqueline (1625–1661)

French nun. Born at Clermont-Ferrand, France, Oct 4, 1625; died in Paris, Oct 4, 1661; sister of scientist and philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) and biographer Gilberte Pascal (1620–1687); aunt of Marguerite Périer (writer).

A child prodigy, composed verses at 8 and a 5-act comedy at 11; under influence of brother, converted to Jansenism (1646), though he strongly objected when she became a nun at Port Royal (1652); later had a hand in converting him.

See also Women in World History.