Professor Maria Mitchell was curious, independent, and action-oriented. She believed in science and the importance of opportunities for women. To both endeavors, she would dedicate much of her life.
Maria was born into a Quaker family in 1818 on the idyllic island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The Quakers, known for simple living, pacifism, and belief in the equality of all individuals regardless of gender, held the conviction that boys and girls should receive equal education and opportunities. This foundational belief shaped Maria's upbringing, fostering an environment where her family actively encouraged intellectual curiosity.
At home, Maria was fortunate to have a father who was an enthusiastic teacher and a passionate astronomer. He played a dual role in Maria's life as a parent and as her first astronomy teacher. Under his tutelage, the cosmos became a tangible realm of discovery. Father and daughter shared moments of wonder, gazing out at the stars at night.
This foundation played a pivotal role in molding Maria's passion and pursuit of astronomy.
In 1847, Maria made a groundbreaking discovery: she spotted a faint streak of light indicative of a comet. Due to the convention of naming comets after their discoverers, it became widely known as "Miss Mitchell's Comet."
This discovery earned Maria international acclaim. She received a Gold Medal from the King of Denmark. And the American Academy of Arts and Sciences recognized her contributions to the field of astronomy by electing her as its first female member. This was a prestigious honor and a significant breakthrough for women in science.
Subsequently, Maria's expertise and contributions were further acknowledged when she was elected to the American Philosophical Society. This venerable institution, founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, was one of America's earliest learned societies. Maria's inclusion into its ranks was another testament to her profound impact on the scientific community.
In 1865, the fledgling Vassar College, a pioneering institution committed to women's education, appointed Maria as the first female professor of astronomy and simultaneously as the director of the Vassar College Observatory.
At Vassar, Maria quickly established herself as an influential and pioneering figure. She didn't confine teaching to just the walls of a classroom or the limits of a textbook. Instead, she believed in hands-on learning and experiential education. Maria often remarked, "We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry."
Consistent with this philosophy, Maria regularly led her students on nocturnal expeditions, allowing them to observe and chart celestial bodies firsthand. Under the vast expanse of the night sky, Maria taught the principles of astronomy and instilled a sense of wonder, curiosity, and the importance of meticulous observation.
Beyond her teaching methods, Maria's presence at Vassar was a statement against the societal norms of her time. She persistently challenged the stereotypes surrounding women's abilities in the sciences. She encouraged her female students to be inquisitive, to challenge existing knowledge, and to envision themselves as future leaders and contributors in the field of science.
"Until women throw off reverence for authority they will not develop. When they do this, when they come to truth through their own investigations, when doubts lead them to discovery, the truth they get will be theirs, and their minds will go on unfettered," she would say.
Mary retired from her position at Vassar in 1888 but continued her astronomical observations and engagement with various scientific communities. She passed away in 1889 at the age of 70.
Sources:
Kohlstedt, Sally Gregory. “Maria Mitchell: The Advancement of Women in Science.” The New England Quarterly, vol. 51, no. 1, 1978, pp. 39–63. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/364590. Accessed 29 Aug. 2023.
"Maria Mitchell and Women's Rights." Vassar Encyclopedia, https://vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu/faculty/original-faculty/maria-mitchell/maria-mitchell-and-womens-rights/
Maria Mitchell: Life, Letters, and Journals (1896), Phebe Mitchell Kendall (ed.)
"Maria Mitchell." The Schools' Observatory, https://www.schoolsobservatory.org/learn/history/biographies/maria-mitchell
Sorry, mixing up my novels. The book is “Daughters of Nantucket, “ by Julie Gerstenblatt. I don’t know yet whether it’s a book that I would recommend, but this article helps to better understand the background of the book.
Timely! I’m currently reading the novel “Nantucket Women,” and Maria Mitchell is a lead character. Thanks for filling in some of the background!