Maria Mitchell

Maria Mitchell was an American astronomer who lived from 1818-1889. She was the first female professor of astronomy in the United States. She discovered the comet of 1847.

In 1847, Mitchell was awarded a gold medal from the King of Denmark. In 1848, she was the first woman appointed to the Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1853, she received the first advanced degree given to a woman from Indiana Hanover College. Mitchell was elected president of the American Association for the Advancement of Women in 1875.

After Mitchell's death, a crater on the moon was named after her.


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