Skilled in chemistry and medicine, Marie Meurdrac (c. 1610–1680) wrote a pioneering treatise aimed at women. Her commitment, independence, and love for science shine through her writings.
Little is known of Marie’s private life. Both her parents, Vincent Meurdrac and Elizabeth Dovet, belonged to the local nobility. Her younger sister Catherine, also known as Madame de la Guette, was known for having written her memoirs and for defending her estates during the wars that plagued France in the 17th century.
A little more information can be deduced from Marie’s writings. The first is that she had her own laboratory and was passionate about scientific experiments. She was used to rudimentary equipment, but was also aware of the latest, more elaborate advancements.
She also had a mind of her own. Her recipes deviated from the traditional remedies of the time. Her frequent use of certain plants, such as rosemary, suggests solid medicinal knowledge.
Marie was convinced of the equality between men and women, as well as the need to improve women’s education. She denounced men’s tendency to criticize women’s work and contributions and asserted that women’s intelligence and spirit equaled that of men.
Charitable and easy Chemistry for women
Marie is mainly known for her work De la Chimie charitable et facile en faveur des femmes (Charitable and Easy Chemistry for Women), published in 1666. While it wasn’t the first work on chemistry written by a woman, it remains a pioneering one, aimed specifically at a female audience.
Divided into six parts, the book presents the scientific discoveries of the time in an accessible way. Starting with materials and techniques for distillation, Marie also addresses herbal remedies. The final section deals with the preparation of cosmetics.
Marie was indeed concerned by the fact that women were using cosmetics on their faces without knowing what they were made of. She therefore decided to teach them how to make their own and explained how to protect the skin from the sun, whiten the teeth, help hair regrow, redden the lips and cheeks, and many other things.
Recipe for making hair regrow:
Take white vine root, hemp root and tender cabbage cores, two handfuls each: dry then burn, and make a lye from the ashes. Before washing your head with this lye, rub it with honey, and continue to do both for three days.
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Chastrette M., “Marie Meurdrac”
Flahaut Jean, "La chimie et les dames au XVIIe siècle : Marie Meurdrac, La Chymie charitable et facile, en faveur des Dames"
Ogilvie Marilyn Bailey, Harvey Joy Dorothy, The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science: L-Z
