# Nicole-Reine Lepaute > French astronomer (1723-1788) **Wikidata**: [Q266049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q266049) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole-Reine_Lepaute) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nicole-reine-lepaute ## Summary Nicole-Reine Lepaute was a French astronomer and mathematician who lived from 1723 to 1788. A prominent figure in the Kingdom of France, she is recognized for her contributions to the exact sciences, specifically within the fields of astronomy and mathematics. ## Biography - **Born:** January 5, 1723 - **Died:** December 6, 1788 - **Nationality:** Kingdom of France - **Known for:** Astronomy, Mathematics - **Field(s):** Astronomy, Mathematics - **Occupations:** Astronomer, Mathematician - **Citizenship:** Kingdom of France ## Contributions Nicole-Reine Lepaute contributed to the field of astronomy as a scientist studying celestial bodies and phenomena. Her work positioned her within the broader academic discipline of mathematics, a formal science concerned with numbers, quantities, and space. She is associated with the study of the cosmos, a field historically linked to the quadrivium and exact sciences. ## FAQs **What were Nicole-Reine Lepaute's primary fields of work?** Nicole-Reine Lepaute worked in the fields of astronomy and mathematics. Astronomy is the natural science dedicated to the study of celestial objects, while mathematics is a formal science concerning the properties of numbers and space. **What is known about Nicole-Reine Lepaute's nationality and historical context?** She was a citizen of the Kingdom of France, a monarchy in Western Europe that existed from 987 to 1792. She lived during the 18th century, a period when the Kingdom of France was a major European power. **How is Nicole-Reine Lepaute recognized in scientific history?** She is recognized as a human who made contributions to the exact sciences. Her name is also commemorated by the lunar crater "Lepaute." ## Why They Matter Nicole-Reine Lepaute represents a significant historical figure in the intersection of mathematics and astronomy during the 18th century. Her work as a female scientist in the Kingdom of France highlights the role of women in the development of the exact sciences during a period dominated by major political and cultural shifts. By contributing to a field defined by absolute precision and systematic observation, she helped advance the understanding of celestial mechanics and mathematical frameworks. Her legacy endures through the naming of the lunar crater Lepaute, ensuring her permanent place in the mapping of the solar system. ## Notable For - **Astronomer and Mathematician:** Recognized specifically for her dual role in these scientific disciplines. - **Lunar Crater Naming:** The lunar crater "Lepaute" is named in her honor. - **Historical Figure of the Kingdom of France:** Active during the final decades of the French monarchy prior to the French Revolution. - **Contributor to Exact Sciences:** Worked in fields classified as exact sciences requiring absolute precision. ## Body ### Identity and Personal Details Nicole-Reine Lepaute (born Nicole-Reine Etable de Labrière) was a human scientist born on January 5, 1723, and died on December 6, 1788. She held citizenship in the Kingdom of France. Throughout her life and in historical records, she has been referred to by several aliases, including Nicole-Reine Étable de la Brière Lepaute and Hortense Lepaute. Her full name is also recorded as Nicole-Reine-Hortense-Etable-de-Labriere. ### Scientific Occupations and Fields Lepaute's professional identity is defined by her occupations as both an astronomer and a mathematician. * **Astronomy:** As an astronomer, she studied celestial bodies and phenomena originating outside the Earth's atmosphere. This field is classified as a natural science and a branch of physical science, often categorized as an exact science due to the precision required in its results. * **Mathematics:** As a mathematician, she possessed extensive knowledge of mathematics, a formal science and academic discipline. This field serves as a foundational framework for science, technology, and engineering, encompassing branches such as number theory, geometry, and algebra. ### Historical and Geopolitical Context Lepaute lived and worked within the **Kingdom of France**, a sovereign state and monarchy in Western Europe. The kingdom existed from 987 to 1792, with its capital in Paris and French as its official language. During her lifetime (1723–1788), the kingdom was a major European power, playing a central role in continental politics and culture. The government was a monarchy, and the currency included the French livre and Louis d'or. Her life occurred shortly before the dissolution of the kingdom in 1792 following the French Revolution. ### Commemoration Nicole-Reine Lepaute's legacy is physically immortalized on the Moon. The lunar crater **Lepaute** is named after her. This crater is a specific feature on the lunar surface, serving as a permanent testament to her contributions to the field of astronomy. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. [Source](https://astrosabadell.org/pdf/es/bio/dones/Lepaute_NicoleReine_es.pdf)