7. Entry from Anne Nicholls
A Valentine’s poetry competition for lovers of history
Emilia Imberbis
O Queen of the Enlightenment
You embraced a science bent
You pled for women’s schooling
Against prejudicial ruling
Your charm and wit and love of dance
Enticed Voltaire to sweet romance
Your only fault in many eyes
Was lack of beard as male disguise
Your Institutions de physique
Of new ideas did wisely speak
Your witty cultured salons
Glittered free from morons
O sweet Marquise du Châtelet
Dear mother, sage and mate
You died too soon and now you’re gone
Your legacy of maths lives on
We were delighted to receive so many entries to this competition. We asked for a Valentine’s Day Poem with rhyming couplets written for any figure from history.
Please CLICK HERE to read all the poems and then CLICK HERE to vote.
The winner will be announced on St Valentine’s Day and will received a framed copy of their poem.




Smallhope could not have said it as eloquently, but I share your envy of Smallhope. Keep fighting -you are an amazing writer!