A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Gozzadini, Betisia
GOZZADINI, BETISIA,
Born in Bologna, in 1209, of a noble family. She manifested from infancy a love for study, and a disinclination for ordinary girlish occupations; feeling the futility of the instruction given to young ladies, she prevailed upon her parents to allow her to devote herself to the acquirement of learning and science. In order to enjoy the advantage of the university, she put on man's apparel, and followed every course; as a student she soon took the highest standing in her college, and at the gaining of her degree received the laurel crown. She afterwards studied law, and obtained the title of Doctor, and the privilege of wearing the professional robe. Her eloquence was very much esteemed, as well as her learning and piety. She lost her life in an inundation caused by an overflow of the waters of the Idio, which overwhelmed a villa on its banks, where she was visiting. This accident happened in 1261.