author
Madame de (Sophie de Senneterre) Renneville
1772–1822
A prolific French writer and editor, she turned to publishing after the French Revolution devastated her family’s finances. Her books for children and young women mix moral storytelling with a clear interest in education and women’s lives.
1 Audiobook
Conversations d'une petite fille avec sa poupée Suivies de l'histoire de la poupée
by Madame de (Sophie de Senneterre) Renneville
About the author
Born Sophie de Senneterre in Caen in 1772, she wrote under the name Madame de Renneville. Reliable library and reference sources describe her as a French writer, editor, and journalist who built a substantial literary career in the early 19th century.
She began publishing to help support her family after the upheavals of the French Revolution. Much of her work was aimed at young readers, especially girls, and included stories, educational writing, and moral tales. Some of these books traveled beyond France in translation, showing that her work found readers abroad as well.
She is also remembered for her connection to women’s writing and journalism, including work associated with the Athénée des Dames. She died in Paris in 1822, leaving behind a large body of writing that reflects the era’s strong interest in education, character, and the role of women in society.