Maria Mitchell (1818–1889) was an American astronomer, who in 1847 by using a telescope, discovered a comet, which as a result became known as “Miss Mitchell’s Comet.” She won a gold medal prize for her discovery, which was presented to her by King Frederick VI of Denmark. On the medal was inscribed “Non Frustra Signorum Obitus Speculamur et Ortus” in Latin taken from Georgics by Virgil. Mitchell was the first American woman to work as a professional astronomer.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Maria Mitchell
Study as if you were going to live forever; live as if you were going to die tomorrow.
—Maria Mitchell
When we are chafed and fretted by small cares, a look at the stars will show us the littleness of our own interests.
—Maria Mitchell
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
William Ellery Channing American Theologian, Poet
Grace Hopper American Mathematician
Daniel Kahneman American-Israeli Psychologist, Economist
Archibald Cox American Lawyer
Daniel Webster American Statesman, Lawyer
Louis Agassiz Swiss-American Scientist
Susan B. Anthony American Civil Rights Leader
John Herschel English Mathematician
Carl Sagan American Astronomer
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar Indian-American Astrophysicist