Anne-Marguerite Petit du Noyer

Who was Anne-Marguerite Petit du Noyer?

Anne-Marguerite du Noyer was one of the most famous early 18th century female journalists. Her reports of the negotiations leading to the Peace of Utrecht were read all over Europe and admired for the distinction with which she reported on scandal and gossip. Born a Protestant she converted to Catholicism in the years of the Huguenot persecution. In 1686 she married Guillaume du Noyer. In 1701 she converted back to Calvinism and had to leave France in the event. She first moved to Geneva, then to The Hague. Among her famous visitors was Voltaire in 1713.

The following is an extract of the biography published with the Letters from a Lady at Paris to a Lady at Avignon, vol. 1, the attack on Richard Steele makes Delarivier Manley a likely candidate as author of these lines:

SHE is about 60 Years of age; and has in her time, made a considerable Figure in France, where her Husband was concern'd in managing the Publick Revenues, in consequence of which he is now under Prosecution before the Chamber of Justice.

What time this Lady left France, may be gather'd from her Writings. Religion was what she pretended for so doing, but her natural Inconstancy was the real Motive.