During the Scientific Revolution, there were so many groundbreaking discoveries, but I find myself wondering about the women behind those advances. They may not have been front and centre in history books, but their contributions were absolutely vital. These women broke through barriers and challenged the status quo, all while shaping the foundation of the sciences we know today. From mathematics and astronomy to chemistry and biology, their work left a lasting mark, even if they didn’t always get the recognition they deserved. I love discovering these hidden stories, and I’m excited to share a few that really stand out to me.
1. Émilie du Châtelet: The Physicist Who Brought Newton to France
Émilie du Châtelet was a brilliant French physicist and mathematician during the 18th century. Her most notable achievement was translating Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica into French, a version still in use today. Du Châtelet made critical additions, including commentary on Newton’s laws of motion and a clarification of energy conservation, an area she pioneered before anyone had formally defined it.
2. Maria Sibylla Merian: The Entomologist Who Changed How We See Insects
Maria Sibylla Merian was a naturalist and scientific illustrator in the late 1600s, whose work on insects was revolutionary. Her detailed observations on metamorphosis and insect lifecycles challenged the dominant belief that insects were “born from mud.” Merian’s meticulously detailed illustrations of plants and insects were groundbreaking, and she is considered one of the first ecologists in history.
3. Sophie Germain: The Mathematician Who Fought Prejudice
Despite being denied formal education because of her gender, Sophie Germain taught herself mathematics and became a leading figure in number theory. Her work on elasticity theory paved the way for modern mathematical physics. In 1816, she became the first woman to win a prize from the prestigious Paris Academy of Sciences for her research on vibrating surfaces.
4. Mary Anning: The Fossil Hunter Who Revolutionised Palaeontology
Mary Anning, a self-taught fossil collector from England, made some of the most significant discoveries in palaeontology. In the early 19th century, she uncovered the first complete Ichthyosaurus skeleton, as well as the first Plesiosaurus. Despite her crucial contributions, Anning faced discrimination and was often overlooked by the male-dominated scientific community.
5. Caroline Herschel: The Astronomer Who Discovered Comets
Caroline Herschel was an accomplished astronomer who worked alongside her brother, William Herschel, famous for discovering Uranus. Caroline discovered several comets and nebulae and became the first woman to be paid for her scientific work. Her meticulous cataloguing of stars helped lay the groundwork for modern astronomy.
6. Laura Bassi: The First Woman to Earn a University Chair in Physics
In 1732, Laura Bassi became the first woman in Europe to earn a university chair in physics at the University of Bologna. She was a key figure in spreading Newtonian physics in Italy. Bassi’s work ranged from teaching experimental physics to researching electricity and hydraulics. She also published over 30 scientific papers during her career.
7. Mary Somerville: The “Queen of Science” and Advocate for Women’s Education
Mary Somerville was a Scottish mathematician and astronomer, who translated and popularised the work of Pierre-Simon Laplace. Her book The Connection of the Physical Sciences played a significant role in shaping scientific thought during the 19th century. Somerville’s advocacy for women’s education led to the Somerville College at Oxford being named in her honour.
8. Agnes Pockels: The Self-Taught Chemist Who Laid Foundations for Surface Science
Agnes Pockels was a German chemist who made significant contributions to the study of surface tension and liquid behaviour, despite having no formal scientific education. Her experiments were conducted in her kitchen, and her findings on the properties of liquids on surfaces laid the foundation for modern surface science.
9. Ada Lovelace: The First Computer Programmer
Ada Lovelace is often celebrated as the world’s first computer programmer, having worked on Charles Babbage’s early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. In the mid-1800s, Lovelace’s notes included what is now recognised as the first algorithm intended to be carried out by a machine, long before computers existed.
10. Marie-Anne Paulze Lavoisier: The Mother of Modern Chemistry
Marie-Anne Paulze Lavoisier played a crucial role in the scientific work of her husband, Antoine Lavoisier, considered the father of modern chemistry. She translated scientific works from English to French, illustrated chemical experiments, and assisted in research. Her input helped shape the development of chemical nomenclature and theory.
11. Jeanne Villepreux-Power: The Woman Who Invented the Aquarium
Jeanne Villepreux-Power was a pioneering French marine biologist who invented the aquarium to study sea life in controlled environments. In the 19th century, she conducted groundbreaking research on marine biology, particularly on the paper nautilus, an octopus species. Her work helped advance the understanding of marine organisms and their behaviours.
12. Hertha Ayrton: The Inventor Who Advanced Electrical Engineering
Hertha Ayrton was a British engineer, mathematician, and physicist, known for her work on electric arcs and sand ripples. Ayrton received widespread recognition for her scientific contributions, including being the first woman to present a paper at the Institution of Electrical Engineers. She also fought for women’s suffrage and advocated for women in science.
13. Rosalind Franklin: The Uncredited Pioneer of DNA Structure
Rosalind Franklin, a British chemist, played a pivotal role in discovering the double-helix structure of DNA, although her contributions went largely uncredited during her lifetime. Franklin’s X-ray diffraction images were critical to the work of Watson and Crick, who later received the Nobel Prize. Her work continues to inspire debates about recognition in science.
14. Florence Nightingale: The Statistician Who Saved Lives with Data
Florence Nightingale is most famous as a nurse, but she was also a pioneering statistician. During the Crimean War, she used statistical analysis to improve sanitation practices in military hospitals, dramatically reducing death rates. Nightingale’s work laid the groundwork for the field of biostatistics, making her a key figure in medical science.
17 Old Wives’ Tales That Are Actually True
Old wives’ tales have been passed down through generations, often dismissed as mere superstition. However, many of these age-old beliefs are rooted in truth. From health tips to weather predictions, these stories from the past can surprise us with their accuracy. Here are 17 old wives’ tales that are actually true.
Read More: 17 Old Wives’ Tales That Are Actually True
Ellen has been obsessed with logic puzzles, jigsaws, and cryptograms since she was a kid. After learning she was taught how to play chess wrong by a family friend (so they could win), she joined her school chess club and the rest is history.
