Maria Mitchell

1818 - 1889  (70 years)  Submit Photo / Document

• Name	Maria Mitchell
  Born	1 Aug 1818	Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts
  Gender	Female
  Biographical Information	1 Oct 1847
  	At 10:50 pm on the night of October 1, 1847, Mitchell discovered the a Comet. It's formal designation is "C/1847 T1". It is popularly known as "Miss Mitchell's Comet"
  		Maria Mitchell Medal. In 1848, Mitchell was awarded a gold medal prize for her discovery by King Christian VIII of Denmark. I depicts the King of Denmark on the front and the goddess Uranus on the reverse. There is only one of hose and it is only publicly displayed once a year on the occasion of her birthday. This 1903 bronze medal commemorating her entry into the New York University Great Americans hall Of Fame was publicly available. The reverse depicts a stylized depiction of her and her comet.
  Occupation	1865
  	Although she did not have a college education, Maria was appointed professor of astronomy at Vassar College by its founder, Matthew Vassar. She was also named director of the Vassar College Observatory. During he time at Vassar she also edited the astronomical column in the magazine; "Scientific American".
  		Maria Mitchell 1878. Postcard showing Maria Mitchell at Vassar College in 1878. Although the picture was taken in 1878 the postcard was published in 1907.
  		Maria Mitchell Eclipse. July 29, 1878, was the date of a rare total eclipse of the sun visible from the United States. It was seen from the Montana territory to Texas. Acceptance of women in science, even an award winner like Maria wasn't to the point that she would be granted funding but, that didn't slow her down. She traveled with five of her Vassar students to a hill outside of Denver, Colorado to view the event.
  Died	28 Jun 1889	Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts
  Headstones	Submit Headstone Photo
  Person ID	I51938	Nagel
  Last Modified	6 Jun 2020

  
  

  Father	William Mitchell,   b. 20 Dec 1791, Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts ,   d. 19 Apr 1869, Poughkeepsie, Dutchess, New York  (Age 77 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Mother	Lydia Coleman,   b. 5 Aug 1792, Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts ,   d. 7 Jul 1861, Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts  (Age 68 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Family ID	F15333	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Born - 1 Aug 1818 - Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts Died - 28 Jun 1889 - Lynn, Essex, Massachusetts  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos

  Maria Mitchell. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, February 1876 page 36.