Women in Science

Maria Mitchell

Astronomer

On October 1, 1847, Maria Mitchell (1818-1889) gazed through her telescope from the rooftop of her home and discovered a comet, thus becoming the first person to find a comet by telescope. Her achievement brought her international recognition and marked the beginning of an illustrious career. The first woman to be elected to both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Association for the advement of Science, Mitchell in 1865 took the post of director of the observatory at Vassar College, where she taught and conducted research for twenty years. She used her stature to champion women in the sciences and was an influential and deeply admired mentor to many.

Be sure to read about how other female, African-American and other scientists helped shape our history and make our world what it is today.