Maria Mitchell
Dates: April 1, 1818 - June 28, 1889
Taught by her astronomer father, Maria Mitchell was the first professional woman astronomer in the United States and became a professor of astronomy at Vassar College (1865-1888). She was the first woman member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1848), and was president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
On October 1, 1847, she spotted a comet, for which she was given credit as the discoverer.
She was also involved in the anti-slavery movement. She refused to wear cotton because of its connection with slavery in the South, a commitment she continued after the Civil War ended. She also supported women's rights efforts and traveled in Europe.
Maria Mitchell on this site
- Maria Mitchell's Reminiscences of the Herschels
- Harriet Townsend on Maria Mitchell
- Anna C. Brackett: "Maria Mitchell"
- Pictures: Maria Mitchell Portrait and Drawing of the Maria Mitchell Observatory
- Maria Mitchell Quotations
Maria Mitchell on the Web
About Maria Mitchell
- Organizational Affiliations: Vassar College, American Association for the Advancement of Women, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Religious Associations: Unitarian, Quakers (Society of Friends)
Also on this site
Bibliography
- Maria Mitchell: A Life in Journals and Letters. Henry Albers, editor. 2001.
- Gormley, Beatrice. Maria Mitchell - The Soul of an Astronomer. 1995. Ages 9-12.
- Hopkinson, Deborah. Maria's Comet. 1999. Ages 4-8.
- McPherson, Stephanie. Rooftop Astronomer. 1990. Ages 4-8.
- Melin, G. H. Maria Mitchell: Girl Astronomer. Ages: ?.
- Morgan, Helen L. Maria Mitchell, First Lady of American Astronomy.
- Oles, Carole. Night Watches: Inventions on the Life of Maria Mitchell. 1985.
- Wilkie, K. E. Maria Mitchell, Stargazer.
- Women of Science- Righting the Record. G. Kass-Simon, Patricia Farnes and Deborah Nash, editors. 1993.
- Wright, Helen, Debra Meloy Elmegreen and Frederick R. Chromey. Sweeper in the Sky - The Life of Maria Mitchell. 1997.
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