Biography on maria mitchell

American astronomer (1818–1889)

Not to be confused with Maia Mitchell.

Maria Mitchell (mə-RY-ə;^[1] August 1, 1818 – June 28, 1889) was an American astronomer, librarian, naturalist, and educator.^[2] In 1847, she discovered a comet named 1847 VI (modern designation C/1847 T1) that was later known as "Miss Mitchell's Comet" in her honor.^[3] She won a gold medal prize for her discovery, which was presented to her by King Christian VIII of Denmark in 1848.

Mitchell was the first internationally known woman to work as both a professional astronomer and a professor of astronomy after accepting a position at Vassar College in 1865.^[4][5] She was also the first woman elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.^[4][6]

Mitchell is the namesake of the Maria Mitchell Association, the Maria Mitchell Observatory, and the Maria M