MAINTENON, man-te-non, Frangoise d'Aubigne, Mdutcnionnss DE, French queen: b. Niort, Poitou, 1635; d. Saint-Cyr, 1719. Her birthplace was the prison in which her parents were confined because of religions trouble. Af ter her father's death in her 10th year she became the ward of her guardian and aunt, Madame de Neuillant, who gave her a some what limited education and through whose efforts she became converted to the Catholic faith at about the age of 14. She was then returned to her mother, whose income was insufficient for the child's support. Her humili.' ation did not embitter her bright and cheerful disposition, however, and when at 16 the famous wit and man of letters, Scarron, deformed, old and infirm as he was, became her husband, and she was soon the centre of the Clever literary people who frequented his house. When Scar ron died, her good sense and delightful dis position recommended her to many friends, who pointed her out to Louis XIV as a fitting per son to take charge of the education of the children born to him by Madame de Montespan. She undertook the office of governess to the royal children, won their affection and respect as well as that of the king, who married her in 1685 when she was 50 and he 47. There
can be no doubt that she exercised a beneficent influence over the king's private life. She was undoubtedly disinterested and charitable, her character above stain in a profligate age, and her mind clear and resolute inpursuing the course she thought to be right. She survived the king four years and died at the nunnery at Saint Cyr which she had changed into a place of education for the poor daughters of families, having enjoyed to the end all the honor and position of a royal widow. Consult Blennerhassett, C. J., XIV and Madame de Maintenon) (New York 1911) ; Dyson, C. C., 'Madame de Maintenon: Her Life and Times, 1635-1719) (London 1910) ; Geffroy, 'Mme. de Maintenon d'apres sa correspondence authen tique> (Paris 1:•:7) ; Noailles, (Mstoire de Mme. de Maintenon) (ib. 1848-58) i Pilastre, E., et caractere de Mme. de Maintenon) (ib. 1907).