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Browsing named entities in Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing). You can also browse the collection for William Mitchell or search for William Mitchell in all documents.
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Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History (ed. Benson Lossing), Mitchell , Maria 1818 -1869 (search)
Mitchell, Maria 1818-1869
Astronomer; born in Nantucket, Mass., Aug. 1, 1818; inherited from her father, William Mitchell (who died in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in April, 1869), a fondness for astronomical studies and became a valuable assistant to him in the study of astronomy when she was quite young.
Examining nebulae and searching for comets, her industry and efforts were rewarded when, on Oct. 1, 1847, she discovered a telescopic comet, for which she received a gold medal from the King of ast survey, and for many years assisted in the compilation of the Nautical almanac.
In the spring of 1865 she was appointed Professor of Astronomy and superintendent of the observatory at Vassar College, and entered upon her duties in September.
She resigned in 1888. Professor Mitchell was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, being the first woman admitted to that body.
She received the honorary degrees of Ph.D. and Ll.D. She died in Lynn, Mass., June 28, 1889.