Letter from Maupertuis from Cirey, December 1736
Emilie and Voltaire were planning on entering the Royal Academy of Sciences' competition on "the nature and propagation of fire" - a topic set by the academy. Emilie and Voltaire were supposed to collaborate. Emilie didn't know while writing this letter that Voltaire was going to break away from their collaboration because he did not agree with her conclusions. As seen in the play, Emilie secretly entered on her own. In the tone and choice of words within this letter, we get to see Emilie's softer side while maintaining her fight to be seen in a world that tried so desperately to keep her out of the conversation.
Letter to Richelieu from Paris, 1740
After Voltaire was banished from France for supporting reforms that attacked French political conservative traditions (see 5 Neat Facts about Voltaire), Emilie approached Louis XV to plead a case for for his safe return to France - she won. However, Voltaire then left France. In this letter, we can see how Emilie reacts to Voltaire when he is at his most egotistical.
Letters to Lambert from Cirey and Commercy, May and July 1748
Since Voltaire was no longer living at Cirey with Emilie, she was involved in an affair with Lambert. In both letters, we see the breadth of Emilie's heart that is contained within her words. The letter in July, although short, also showcases the state of longing that Emilie would sometimes find herself. It is in the next year that Emilie discovers she is pregnant with Lambert's child - a pregnancy that ends up killing her.
Letter to Lambert from Luneville, August 1749
This letter was sent to Lambert two months before Emilie's death. She was eight months pregnant at the time and had no one with her.
