Somerville, Mary, 1780-1872

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1780-12-26
Death 1872-11-28
Active 1799
Active 1887
Active 1830
Active 1847
Britons
English

Biographical notes:

Mary Somerville was a Scottish astronomer and physicist.

From the description of Letter, 1834. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 232007445

Mary Somerville (born Mary Fairfax) was born on December 26, 1780 in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland. Somerville became interested in mathematics as a teenager. Somerville's first major work was a translation of the mathematician Laplace's book Mécanique Céleste. She included in the translation detailed explanations of the advanced mathematics used by Laplace. One of her most famous books, Physical Geography, was published in 1848 and was used in schools and universities for many years.

From the description of Collection, 1800s, 1997-1999. (Iowa State University). WorldCat record id: 769016679

Mary Somerville was a writer on various branches of science, including astronomy and physical geography.

From the description of Papers, [ca. 1781-ca. 1877]. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122616125

From the guide to the Mary Somerville papers, [ca. 1781-ca. 1877], Circa 1781-1877, (American Philosophical Society)

Epithet: mathematician

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001304.0x0003ce

Epithet: scientific writer

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000497.0x0002eb

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Subjects:

  • Astronomy
  • Halley's comet
  • Light
  • Mathematicians
  • Mathematics
  • Physical geography
  • Physics
  • Science
  • Science
  • Women in science
  • Women scientists
  • Women scientists
  • Women scientists
  • Science
  • Women scientists
  • Women scientists

Occupations:

  • Science writers

Places:

  • England (as recorded)
  • Tahiti, Pacific Ocean (as recorded)
  • Great Britain (as recorded)
  • Great Britain (as recorded)
  • Southampton, Hampshire (as recorded)
  • Halley's comet. (as recorded)
  • Scotland, United Kingdom (as recorded)
  • Birmingham, Warwickshire (as recorded)
  • Handsworth, Warwickshire (as recorded)
  • Glasgow, Scotland (as recorded)
  • West Indies, America (as recorded)
  • Great Britain (as recorded)

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