Maria Mitchell
(
–
)
1818
1889
Nantucket Athenaeum
;
Nantucket, MA
Astronomer; Educator; Librarian
Elected
1848
Maria Mitchell was an astronomer, librarian, naturalist, and educator. She discovered a telescopic comet in 1847, for which she was awarded a gold medal by the King of Denmark. Her discovery thrust her into the international spotlight and she became America’s first professional female astronomer. Maria Mitchell was elected to the American Academy in 1848, making her the first female member.
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