author
Maria Mitchell
1818–1889
A comet discovery made her internationally famous and helped turn her into one of the most admired American scientists of the 19th century. As an astronomer, teacher, and advocate for women in science, she opened doors that had long been closed.
1 Audiobook
Maria Mitchell: Life, Letters, and Journals
by Maria Mitchell
About the author
Born on Nantucket in 1818 and raised in a Quaker family that valued learning, Maria Mitchell developed an early love of astronomy through work with her father. In 1847 she discovered a telescopic comet, a finding that brought her international recognition and the gold medal promised by the King of Denmark for such a discovery.
Mitchell went on to become one of the first professional women astronomers in the United States. She worked for the U.S. Coast Survey, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and later joined the original faculty of Vassar College, where she became professor of astronomy and director of the observatory.
At Vassar, she was known not only for her scientific skill but also for the way she encouraged women to study science seriously and confidently. She remained a powerful example of intellectual independence and curiosity until her death in 1889, and she is still remembered as a pioneer who helped make American astronomy more open to women.