Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Mary Somerville


"Who shall declare the time allotted to the human race, when the generations of the most insignificant insect also existed for unnumbered ages? Yet man is also to vanish in the ever-changing course of events. The earth is to be burnt up, and the elements are to melt with fervent heat—to be again reduced to chaos—possibly to be renovated and adorned for other races of beings. These stupendous changes may be but cycles in those great laws of the universe, where all is variable but the laws themselves and He who has ordained them. "

— Mary Fairfax Greig Somerville


Mary Somerville's life sounds like a forbidden love story. She did not get formal training until the age of ten and she struggled.  And yet when she discovers algebra equations in a magazine, she takes an interest and studies it whenever she has a free moment.  Her family does not approve of her pursuits and eventually she marries Greig who also does not believe women should be spending time on manly tasks.  Three years into her marriage, her husband dies, she inherits the estate and she is now free, free to study what she wishes.

To put icing on that cake, she finds love, remarries, and along with Caroline Hershel, they become the first 
women to receive honorary membership to the Royal Astronomical Society.  From my studies of her, I find she is known for interpreting and reviewing mathematical and scientific studies as a whole.

I love hearing stories of going against great odds.  Granted some of it was luck and yet she still had to overcome so many prejudices.  How many of us give up because it is just too hard.  I'm so happy to be doing this blog, I'm feeling inspired this month.


Other Resources:
This is a book written by Mary's daughter Martha - it reads as if Martha just copied the words that her mother told her: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/27747/27747-h/27747-h.htm
You need to scroll down to read this summary of Mary's life: http://chestofbooks.com/science/astronomy/Leisure-Hours/Mrs-Mary-Somerville.html#.UT9m_hyG2Ao
An article from Harvard university about Mary Somerville http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu//full/1996JBAA..106..201B/0000201.000.html










9 comments:

  1. It is wonderful to learn of someone who stepped into the currents of life and was swept away in an uplifting manner. A new heroine for me!

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  2. Love the idea of highlighting some important and fascinating women from history. She sounds like she has an interesting life. Thanks for sharing, and love the quote!

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    1. I thought that quote was fascinating, not because it was from a woman but that it was written in the late 17 to early 1800s.

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  3. Inspiring! I took a minor interest in astronomy as a teen, but unfortunately, I never pursued it in college. My son did take one course.

    I'm glad we as women have it easier know to study as we wish.

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    1. Yes, I agree and I think it's important that we know our history so that we may have our heros and to keep our foundation for success strong.

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  4. Thanks for sharing this, I really enjoyed reading! I guess it really did work out for her that her husband passed. So interesting!

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    1. I know right - talk about luck. She did study algebra when her first husband went to work but he disapproved of it and she probably wouldn't have done anything with the knowledge. I also think it's great that she found and married her true love. I love girl power however I appreciate the men who help us get there :)

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  5. Hi Joanne, thank you for sharing Mary's story. It is difficult to believe that less than a hundred years ago we were not seen as "people". I was reading about Emily Murphy, a Canadian who fought for women's equality in Canada recently: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Murphy I am grateful for women like these who have paved the way for what we have today.

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    1. Oh thank you - I love it when I hear about new women. I'll check out the wiki page. Do you have a book you recommend?

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