Mary Somerville: A Pioneering Female Scientist of the 19th Century

Born Mary Fairfax on December 26, 1780, in Jedburgh, Scotland, Mary Somerville was destined to make a significant impact in the world of science. As the fifth of seven children of Vice-Admiral Sir William George Fairfax and Margaret Charters Fairfax, she faced unique challenges growing up. When her father returned from his travels at sea, he discovered that 8- or 9-year-old Mary could neither read nor do simple arithmetic. This led to her being home-schooled by her mother in the small town of Burntisland.

Despite these early struggles with education, Mary's natural aptitude for learning and her self-motivation enabled her to excel academically. She went on to attend Miss Primrose's School in Musselburgh, an elite boarding school, where she developed a strong foundation in mathematics and science.

In 1804, at the age of 24, Mary married Samuel Grieg and gained independence from her parents. Together, they had three daughters (Margaret, Martha, and Mary Charlotte) and one son who sadly died in infancy in 1815. Her marriage also brought her two sons with Grieg, including barrister Woronzow Grieg, who survived to adulthood.

Throughout her life, Mary Somerville remained committed to her scientific pursuits. She was elected as an honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1833 and received a gold medal from the Royal Geographical Society in 1869 for her outstanding contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and geography. Her work also earned her election to the American Philosophical Society in 1869.

Mary's most notable scientific achievement was authoring the major scientific compendium 'Physical Geography' in 1848, which popularized the subject of geography among a broader audience. She continued to write about science throughout her life and left behind a legacy that inspired future generations of female scientists.

In recognition of her groundbreaking work, Mary Somerville is one of only a handful of women whose ship has been named after them. Her remarkable story serves as a testament to the power of determination, self-education, and scientific curiosity, paving the way for other women to make significant contributions in the field of science.

Mary somerville