This biography traces the life and work of Mary Fairfax Somerville, whose extraordinary mathematical talent only came to light through fortuitous circumstances. Barely taught to read and write as a child, all the science she learned and mastered was self taught. In this delightful narrative the author takes up the challenge of discovering how Somerville came to be one of the most outstanding British women scientists and, furthermore, a popular writer. Particular attention is paid to the gender aspects of Somerville's success in what was, to put it mildly, a predominantly male domain.

A fascinating study of the challenges facing a talented woman at the start of the 19th Century Of equal interest to historians of mathematics, social scientists, and biography aficionados Gives interesting insights into the cultural differences across 19th Century Europe Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Elisabetta Strickland is full professor of Algebra at the Department of Mathematics of the University of Rome 'Tor Vergata. She was Deputy-President of the National Institute of Advanced Mathematics from 2007 to 2015. In 2014 she became a member of the Women in Mathematics Committee of the European Mathematical Society and, in 2015, President of the Central Committee for the promotion of equal opportunities, workers' welfare and non-discrimination (CUG) of her University. She is also co-founder of the Gender Interuniversity Observatory GIO of the state Universities of Rome. She is the author of Scienziate d'Italia, Donzelli Ed. 2011. In 2013 the Capitoline Administration awarded her the Prize Excellent Women in Rome.

Inhalt

A peculiar childhood.- The two marriages.- New horizons in Paris.- The Grand Tour to Italy.- The nomadic life.- Portrait of a lady.- Taking part in the unification of Italy.- The death of William Somerville.- Garibaldi, the hero she never met.- Life in Naples.- A peaceful end.- Conclusions.