PHILOSOPHEN WEG
Elena Cornaro Piscopia: First Female PhD
#Philosophenweg
Elena Cornaro Piscopia was a remarkable 17th-century Italian philosopher who made history as the first woman to receive a university degree and a Ph.D., opening doors for women in academia that were previously closed.
“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.”
Early Life and Education
Born on June 5, 1646, in Venice to Gianbattista Cornaro-Piscopia and Zanetta Boni, Elena Cornaro Piscopia was a child prodigy. Despite her illegitimate birth status, she began studying Latin and Greek at the age of seven under the guidance of priest Giovanni Fabris.
Elena quickly mastered these languages and went on to become fluent in Hebrew, Spanish, French, and Arabic, earning her the title “Oraculum Septilingue.” Her education also encompassed mathematics, philosophy, theology, and music, showcasing her diverse intellectual pursuits from a young age.
Scholarly Achievements
Elena Cornaro Piscopia’s scholarly achievements were numerous and diverse:
- In 1669, she translated the Colloquy of Christ by Lanspergius from Spanish into Italian, which was published in five editions from 1669 to 1672.
- Her growing fame led to invitations to join several scholarly societies, and in 1670, she became president of the Venetian Accademia dei Pacifici.
- Piscopia was an accomplished musician, mastering the harpsichord, clavichord, harp, and violin, and composing her own music.
- She delivered a brilliant one-hour defense in Classical Latin to earn her Doctor of Philosophy degree, explaining complex passages from Aristotle’s Posterior Analytics and Physics.
Challenges and Ph.D. Success
Elena’s path to a Ph.D. was not without obstacles. When she initially sought a degree in theology from the University of Padua, Cardinal Gregorio Barbarigo denied her request because she was a woman.
Undeterred, she pursued a degree in philosophy instead. On June 25, 1678, Elena made history by successfully defending her thesis in Classical Latin before the University of Padua faculty, distinguished guests from other universities, and Venetian senators.
She was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree, becoming the first woman to receive a Ph.D. from a university. Her achievement was celebrated with great ceremony, and she received the traditional laurel wreath, ermine cape, gold ring, and book of philosophy.
Later Life and Legacy
After receiving her degree, Elena Cornaro Piscopia devoted the last seven years of her life to further studies and charitable work, having become a Benedictine oblate in 1665. She died of tuberculosis on July 26, 1684, at the age of 38 and was buried in the Church of Santa Giustina in Padua.
Her legacy was honored with:
- A statue at the University of Padua
- Memorial services held in Venice, Padua, Siena, and Rome
- A medal struck by the University of Padua in 1685
- The opening of her tomb in 1895 by Abbess Mathilda Pynsent, who placed the remains in a new casket with a commemorative tablet
Piscopia’s groundbreaking achievements paved the way for future generations of women in academia, and her contributions to philosophy, languages, and music continue to inspire scholars today
