Maria Mitchell

Not to be confused with Maia Mitchell.

Maria Mitchell
Photograph of Maria Mitchell
Born(1818-08-01)August 1, 1818
Nantucket, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedJune 28, 1889(1889-06-28) (aged 70)
Lynn, Massachusetts, U.S.
Known for
  • Discovery of C/1847 T1
  • First female American professional astronomer
AwardsKing of Denmark's Cometary Prize Medal (1848)
Scientific career
FieldsAstronomy
Institutions
Notable students
Signature

Maria Mitchell (/məˈraɪə/;[1] August 1, 1818 – June 28, 1889) was an American astronomer, librarian, naturalist, and educator.[2] In 1847, she discovered a comet named 1847 VI (modern designation C/1847 T1) that was later known as "Miss Mitchell's Comet" in her honor.[3] She won a gold medal prize for her discovery, which was presented to her by King Christian VIII of Denmark in 1848. Mitchell was the first internationally known woman to work as both a professional astronomer and a professor of astronomy after accepting a position at Vassar College in 1865.[4][5] She was also the first woman elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.[4][6]

Mitchell is the namesake of the Maria Mitchell Association, the Maria Mitchell Observatory, and the Maria Mitchell Aquarium.

  1. ^ "Maria Mitchell's House" on YouTube
  2. ^ "About Maria Mitchell | Maria Mitchell Association". Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  3. ^ "Maria Mitchell Biography". Biography. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Abir-Am, Pnina G. (1947–). Red. Outram, Dorinda, Red. Rossiter, Margaret W., Przedm. (2009). Uneasy careers and intimate lives : women in science, 1789–1979. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0813512563. OCLC 750454272.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Yount, Lisa. (1999). A to Z of women in science and math : [a biographical dictionary]. Facts on File. ISBN 0816037973. OCLC 215036114.
  6. ^ Shearer, Benjamin F. Shearer, Barbara Smith. (1997). Notable women in the physical sciences : a biographical dictionary. Greenwood Press. OCLC 644247606.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)