Dictionary.net

A celebrated French writer; born in Paris, April 22, 1766; died there, July 14, 1817. She was the only child of Necker the financier, and of Suzanne Curchod whose name is connected with that of the historian Gibbon. She married, Jan. 14, 1786, the Baron de Stael-Holstein, Swedish ambassador at Paris. Her works include: "Letters on the Character and Writings of J. J. Rousseau" (1788); "Delphine" (1802), a novel; "Corinne" (1807); "On Germany" (1810), her best-known work; "Literature in Relation to Social Institutions"; "Influence of the Passions on the Welfare of Individuals and Nations"; "The French Revolution", a posthumous work; etc.