Pauline de Broglie (1888–1972)

Pauline de Broglie was born in Paris, France. Her parents were Louis Alphonse Victor, 5th duc de Broglie, and Pauline de La Forest d'Armaillé. Her brothers Maurice de Broglie and Louis de Broglie became eminent men of medicine and science. She spent her childhood dividing her time between her family's mansion on the rue de la Boétie, their villa in Dieppe, and their château in Anjou. She was privately tutored in English, German, and a smattering of history and literature. She also learned to play the piano and ride. In 1910, she married comte Jean de Pange, of a noble Lorraine family, with whom she had four sons. With her husband, the comtesse de Pange devoted her life to literature and history. She created and led a study circle on Madame de Staël, her great-grandmother. Among their wide group of European friends were Konrad Adenauer and Charles and Yvonne de Gaulle. Madame de Pange published numerous books, including her famous memoirs Comment j'ai vu 1900 (4 volumes, 1962, 1965, 1968, 1973), which described the aristocratic society of the Belle Époque to which she belonged with great humor; and works on Madame de Staël. Several of her works won prizes from the Académie française. She also published her diaries. She was a member of the jury for the Prix Femina, and in 1970 received the Legion of Honor.