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.

---