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Mary Somerville and the World of Science - book

Mary Somerville was an exceptional individual. Although self-educated and - as a woman - barred from membership in scientific societies, her books sold well and were used as textbooks for many decades. Allan Chapman relates her achievements to the context of 19th century science in Britain.

Mary Somerville was the first scientist!

Williamina Fleming

Through the vision and dedication of Edward Pickering, Harvard College had one of the world's top observatories. Pickering had a secret weapon: a team of women computers. One of them was Mina Fleming who began her employment as a housekeeper and ended it as an astronomer of international repute.

Portrait of Williamina Fleming

Four outstanding women astronomers were honored by a Google Doodle in recent years. None of the Doodles have had a worldwide reach, but there is a link to each delightful drawing and I've given some biographical details. Read on to meet this stellar quartet.

Doodles for Women Astronomers

Three of the women - Caroline Herschel, Maria Mitchell and Annie Cannon - have already been introduced in this thread. But do read about the brilliant Beatrice Tinsley whose pioneering work laid the foundations for our modern understanding of galactic evolution. She packed an incredible amount of superb work into her short life. She was only forty when she died.