Antonia Maury, American Astronomer

Antonia Maury (March 21, 1866 - January 8, 1952) was an American astronomer. She was also the granddaughter of John William Draper and a niece of Henry Draper, both pioneering astronomers. As such, Antonia and her two siblings were exposed to science at a very early age. Maury attended Vassar College, graduating in 1887 with honors in physics, astronomy, and philosophy. There, she studied under the tutelage of renowned astronomer Maria Mitchell. After completing her undergraduate work, Maury went to work at the Harvard College Observatory as one of the Harvard Computers, highly skilled women who processed astronomical data. Edward Pickering disagreed with MauryE??s system of classification and explanation of differing line widths. In response to this negative reaction to her work, she decided to leave the observatory. Pickering asked her to return and complete her observations, and she said that she was uncomfortable completing her research if her work is unacknowledged. She returned for a year in 1893 and 1985 and her work was published in 1897. Her catalog was the first issue to have a women's name on the title. In 1918, Maury returned to Harvard College Observatory as an adjunct professor. She worked better with Pickering's successor Harlow Shapley, and she stayed in the observatory until her retirement in 1948. She died in 1952 at the age of 85

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12697583

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47703781

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Science Source/Mary Evans