The New Student's Reference Work/Mitchell, Maria

Mitchell, Maria, an American astronomer, was born at Nantucket, Mass., Aug. 1, 1818. She helped her father, who was a teacher, in his work in astronomy, and soon became fitted to make investigations for herself. In 1847 she received a gold medal from the king of Denmark for the discovery of a comet. She was employed in observations connected with the coast survey and in compiling the nautical almanacs. She was the first woman made a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1865 she became professor of astronomy at Vassar College, holding the position until her death at Lynn, Mass., June 28, 1889.