Épinay, Louise Florence Pétronille (de Tardieu d'Esclavelles) La Live d', 1726-83, French woman of letters. Influential in the Enlightenment, she was the friend of many of its leaders, especially Melchior Grimm, her literary heir, and Diderot. She was Rousseau's benefactress until 1757, when they quarreled, and subsequently they attacked each other in their writings. She wrote a treatise on the education of girls, Les Conversations d'Émilie (pub. 1775 though volume bears date 1774). Her memoirs and correspondence (1818, tr. 1897, 1930) give a vivid account of her circle.