Mary Aldis | |
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&sq=Google&lang=en&file=File:Grief_in_the_Aldis_household._What_our_Mary_thinks_of_it_all.gif) Cartoon that appeared in the Observer on 27 February 1897, captioned "Grief in the Aldis household. What our Mary thinks of it all." | |
| Born | Mary Robinson 1838–40 |
| Died | June 25, 1897 (aged 57 - 59) Stone in Oxney, Kent, England |
| Other names | Mary Steadman Aldis |
| Citizenship | British |
| Spouse | William Steadman Aldis |
| Children | 3 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | astronomy, mathematics education, social reform |
Mary Steadman Aldis née Robinson (1838? – 25 June 1897) was a British science writer and social reformer known for her advocacy on a range of issues during the late 19th century. Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, to Charlotte and the Reverend William Robinson, she married mathematician William Steadman Aldis in 1863.
Together, the Aldises advocated for social reform across numerous causes, from challenging the Contagious Diseases Act to campaigning against legal prostitution in India. Mary Aldis agitated for women's access to higher education, championing the campaign for female admission to Durham University and pushing for formal recognition through degrees, culminating in the groundbreaking Newcastle Memorial petition in 1880.
In addition to her activism, Aldis authored two books and edited a third. Her work "The Giant Arithmos," a mathematics book tailored for mothers educating their children at home, was praised for its innovative approach and accessibility. Her fascination with astronomy resulted in the publication of "Consider the Heavens" in 1895, offering a popular and engaging introduction to the celestial realm.
Based in New Zealand from 1883 to 1897, Mary Aldis engaged in public discourse, employing her writing to challenge the prevailing norms and prejudices of her time. Her letters and articles in local newspapers ignited discussions on a wide range of issues, from gender equality and women's suffrage to education and workers' rights. Despite encountering criticism and backlash, Aldis remained resolute, earning both support and admiration for her unyielding commitment to justice and social reform. After her husband’s dismissal from his university position, the Aldises returned to England in 1897 and Aldis died there in June the same year. In recognition of her enduring contributions, she was honoured by the Royal Society of New Zealand as one of their "150 women in 150 words" in 2017.