Maria Mitchell retired from Vassar College in December of 1888. This barrier breaking astronomer passed away in Lynn, Massachusetts on June 28, 1889.
Death and Legacy
Later Years
Maria Mitchell sitting outside of an observatory built for her after she moved back to Lynn, Massachusetts. Circa 1888.Courtesy of James E. Arsenault and Company.
Maria Mitchell's death was covered in articles in newspapers across the country.
A headline covering the deaths of Maria Mitchell and Carlotta Patti in the Abbeville Press. July 17, 1889. Courtesy of Chronicling America.
A headline before a lengthy obituary about Maria Mitchell from the Indianapolis Journal. June 29, 1889. Courtesy of Chronicling America.
An article about Maria Mitchell's death, praising the astronomer and her work, in the Omaha Daily Bee. July 01, 1889. Courtesy of Chronicling America.
The Maria Mitchell Association
The Maria Mitchell Association was founded on Nantucket by her family, former students, and admirers in 1902 to preserve her legacy. The association is still an active presence on the island.
Eight women from the Maria Mitchell Association. Circa 1916. Courtesy of the Nantucket Historical Association.
"The Maria Mitchell Association creates opportunities for all to develop a life-long passion for science through education, research, and first-hand exploration of the sky, land, and sea of Nantucket Island."
- The mission statement of the Maria Mitchell Association.
An interview with Walter Sangree recalling his great-grandmother's perception of Maria Mitchell as well as the founding of the Maria Mitchell Association. October 4, 2000. Courtesy of the Nantucket Historical Association.
Legacy
Maria Mitchell left a lasting legacy on her students, who included Christine Ladd-Franklin and Ellen Swallow Richards, and on the world by breaking many societal barriers throughout her life. By helping break down barriers, Maria Mitchell allowed other women to prosper in scientific fields and earn their place among the scientific community. However, despite the great strides made, there is still a gap between women and men in astronomy.
A table showing the percent of female faculty members in astronomy departments from various years. Courtesy of the American Institute of Physics
A photo of Christine Ladd-Franklin. Circa 1870. Courtesy of Special Collections and Archives, Vassar College
A photo of Ellen Swallow Richards with a cat. Circa 1860s. Courtesy of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Museum.
A photo of Vera Rubin with her collection of globes. Circa 1974. Courtesy of the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum.
"I knew about Maria Mitchell, probably from some children's book. I knew that she had taught at Vassar. So I knew there was a school where women could study astronomy....it never occurred to me that I couldn't be an astronomer."
- Vera Rubin, the astronomer whose discoveries helped prove the existence of dark matter, on Maria's impact on her life.