1672 DBQ Women in Science

Document 1

When I began this little treatise, it was solely for my own satisfaction. I objected to myself that it was not the profession of a lady to teach; that she should remain silent, listen and learn, without displaying her own knowledge: that it is above her to give a work to the public, and that such a reputation is not by any means advantageous. . . On the other hand, I flattered myself that I am not the first lady to have had something published; that the mind has no sex and that if the minds of women were cultivated like those of men, they would be equal to the minds of the latter.

Document 2

After dinner, I walked to a meeting of the Royal Society of Scientists in expectation of the duchess of Newcastle (author of "A World Made by Atoms," 1653), who had desired to be invited to the Society. She was invited after much debate, pro and con; it seems many being against it. The duchess hath been a good, comely woman; but her dress so antique and her deportment so ordinary, that I do not like her at all, nor did I hear her say anything that was worth hearing.

Document 3

Since my youth, I have studied insects. When I realized that butterflies and moths develop more quickly than other caterpillars, I collected all the caterpillars that I could find, in order to observe their metamorphosis. Thus, I withdrew from human society and engaged exclusively in these investigations. In addition, I learned the art of drawing so that I could draw and describe them as they were in nature.

Document 4

Early in the morning (about 2:00 a.m.), the sky was clear and starry. Some nights before, I had observed a variable star, and my wife (as I slept) wanted to find and see it for herself. In so doing, she found a comet in the sky. At which time she woke me, and I found that it was indeed a comet. I was surprised that I had not seen it the night before.

Document 5

I do not believe that Maria Winkelmann should continue to work on our official calendar of observations. It simply will not do. Even before her husband's death, the Academy was ridiculed because its calendar was prepared by a woman. If she were to be kept on in such a capacity, mouths would gape even wider.

Document 6

Do not reproach me for my work on translating Newton's "Principia," Never have I made a greater sacrifice to Reason. I get up at nine, sometimes at eight. I work till three; then I take coffee; I resume work at four; at ten I stop to eat a morsel alone; I talk till midnight with Voltaire, who comes to have supper with me, and at midnight I go to work again, and keep on till five in the morning. I must do this or lose the fruit of my labors if I should die in childbirth.

Document 7

Usually one thinks of a learned woman as neurotic. And should she ever go beyond the study of literature into higher sciences, one knows in advance that her clothing will be neglected and her hair will be done in antiquarian fashion. She forces her way into circles of men for whom she is nothing more than a book. For Mademoiselle Schlözer, this is not at all the case. She sews, knits, and understands household economy perfectly well. One must gain her confidence before one comes to know the scholar in her.