DUMESNIL, MADEMOISELLE

original name Marie-franoise Marchand born Jan. 2, 1713, Paris died Feb. 20, 1803, Paris French tragic actress best known for her roles in the plays of Voltaire and Jean Racine. She made her Paris debut in 1737 at the Comdie-Franaise as Clytemnestre in Racine's Iphignie en Aulide. A fiery actress who scorned tradition, she played Cloptre in Corneille's Rodogune and played Racine's Phdre, Athalie, and Hermione, with great effect. She retired in 1775 and 25 years later authorized publication of Mmoires de Marie-Franoise Dumesnil, in reply to an attack by her rival, the actress Mlle Clairon.