Women in Science

Ellen Swallow Richards

Chemical Engineer

Ellen Swallow Richards (1842-1911), who introduced the word ecology in the United States in 1892, was an early and far-seeing exponent of that science. She was also the first woman student—and later professor—at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Raised on a Massachusetts farm, Richards was sporadically schooled until she made her way to Vassar College, where she first planned to follow in the footsteps of astronomer Maria Mitchell. But instead she chose to concentrate on chemistry, and in the early 1870s she studied at MIT. There her interest in the environmental problems associated with rapid urbanization led her to pioneer the field of sanitary engineering. Richards also made important contributions to industrial chemistry, metallurgy and domestic science and was a founder of the Association of Collegiate Alumni, percursor to the American Association of University Women.

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.

Information Source: Publication Department of the Library of Congress. Photograph courtesy General Collections, Library of Congress.