Mary Somerville (1780-1872) was a leading mathematician and author of important books on the sciences: it was in connection with a review of one of these that the term "scientist" first appeared in print. This talk examines her career in relation to debates about the role of women in the making of knowledge and her vision of science in furthering the progress of civilisation and empire.
Public lecture with Professor Jim Secord, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Cambridge, 1.00pm -- 2.00pm on 28 October 2011 at The Royal Society, London.
royalsociety.org/events/2011/m...