Madeleine de Scudéry was the author of a series of extremely influential novels, a moralist and theorist of salon sociability, whose works have particular significance for women’s intellectual history.

Although her family originally came from the town of Apt, in the south of France, Madeleine de Scudéry was born in Le Havre. Her father died in 1613, and her mother soon after, leaving her and her brother Georges, who was six years her senior, orphans. She was, as a result, cared for by an uncle, who ensured that she was given a good education, and who gave her the freedom to educate herself in his excellent library. After his death, in 1637, she joined her brother who, having first distinguished himself as a soldier, had established himself as a successful playwright in Paris.

Although…

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Citation: Green, Karen Anne Hamnet. "Madeleine de Scudéry". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 12 August 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=3987, accessed 19 March 2024.]

3987 Madeleine de Scudéry 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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