Mary Somerville was a Scottish scientist and erudite. Although she studied mathematics and astronomy, she was mostly self-taught. One of her researches led to the discovery of the planet Poseidon.
He was born in 1780 and came from a family of prominent Scots. Her mother taught her to read and help at home. In her spare time, little Mary played in nature. At the age of ten she was sent to an expensive school where she received strict training. He learned writing and English and French grammar.
Then her family gave her a basis to teach her housekeeping, embroidery and dance, something that was necessary at the time to get married.
On her own, however, she observed the stars, learned Latin and read books.
At the age of 13 she enrolled in a school in Edinburgh where she learned piano, Greek and painting.
In 1804 she met her husband who was the son of an admiral. They had two children and lived in London. He died in 1807 and she returned to Scotland with her children.
There she was a wealthy widow so she was able to study astronomy, chemistry, geography, electricity and magnetism.
In 1812 he remarried to a military medical council inspector and they went to live in London. There Mary began to meet eminent scientists, artists and writers.
Now her position allowed her to conduct experiments on the relationship between light and magnetism. She also wrote several scientific books.
Her other great work was that she advocated for women’s rights to education and voting.
She died in 1872.
Many locations, roads, areas and schools were named after her.
[Source: el.wikipedia.org]
