GEOFFRIN, MARIE THERESE, nee RODET 1777), French hostess, was born in Paris on June 2, 1699. She married, on July 19, 1713, Pierre Francois Geoffrin, a rich manu facturer and lieutenant-colonel of the National Guard, who died in 175o. It was not till 1748, when Mme. Geoffrin was nearly 5o, that she became a power in Parisian society and started her two dinners a week, one on Monday for artists, and one on Wednesday for her friends the encyclopaedists and other men of letters. She received many foreigners of distinction, Hume and Horace Wal pole among others. Walpole spent much time in her society be fore he was finally attached to Mme. du Deffand, and speaks of her in his letters as a model of common sense. She was indeed somewhat of a small tyrant in her circle. She had adopted the pose of an old woman earlier than necessary, and her coquetry, if such it can be called, took the form of being mother and mentor to her guests, many of whom were indebted to her generosity for substantial help. Although her aim appears to have been to have the Encyclopedie in conversation and action around her, her advanced views did not prevent her from observing the forms of religion, and she was extremely displeased with any of her friends who were so rash as to incur open disgrace, Marmontel, for in stance, losing her favour after the official censure of Belisaire. A devoted Parisian, Mme. Geoffrin rarely left the city, so that her journey to Poland in 1766 to visit the king, Stanislas Ponia towski, whom she had known in his early days in Paris, was a great event in her life. Her experiences induced a sensible gratitude that she had been born "Francaise" and "particuliere." She died in Paris on Oct. 6, 17 7 7.