Voltaire's contribution to the spread of Newtonianism—II. Élémens de la philosophie de Neuton: The elements of the philosophy of sir Isaac Newton

Abstract

Continuing from Part I [ Int. J. Mech. Sci. 32, 423, 1990] § § [2A] denotes reference 2 in A or Part I and similarly for [3A], etc. , we mainly summarise the contents of, and make comments on, the 25 chapters of Voltaire's Élémen, published in 1738. Mme du Châtelet was the constant companion of Voltaire for 10 years and was very influential during the writing of the latter volume (worthy of being designated a co-author say some), so that space is given over to describing their life and work together during that period, mostly at Cirey, in Montjeu, Lorraine. We include an account of her writing of a translation of Newton's Principia, widely published in France in 1759, and of her early death. Voltaire (and Mme du Châtelet) expended very considerable efforts to spread Newton's philosophy through France. We also outline John Locke's Elements of 1720—hitherto undescribed we believe—Henry Pemberton's A View of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophy of 1728, and we mention Algarotti's book of 1737. The latter two authors, Voltaire (and Mme du Châtelet) were the major popularisers of Newton's work in Europe though others, s'Gravesande and Keil, for instance, have been held to be more influential in doing so.