Mitchell, Maria (1818-1889)

US astronomer. She stressed the desirability of including both women and the scientific method in all aspects of life.

Born in Nantucket, Massachusetts, the daughter of an amateur astronomer, she grew up with a love of mathematics and practical experience in astronomical observations. In 1836 she became librarian of the Nantucket Atheneum, and her 20 years there would provide the intellectual stimulus in lieu of a college education. She continued to help her father make observations of stars, work recognized by the US Coast Survey. Then in 1847 she discovered a new comet, and this led to a gold medal from the King of Denmark as well as her becoming the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1848), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1850), and the American Philosophical Society (1869). After a trip to Europe (1857-58), she was presented with a fine telescope by a group of progressive women. When the Vassar Female College was founded, she became the first professor of astronomy there (1865-88) and while earning the reputation as an inspiring teacher - many of her students became prominent in the sciences and other professions - she continued her own researches, mainly into the solar system. A founder of the Association for the Advancement of Women (1873), she was its president (1875-76) and chaired the science committee until her death.