Laura Bassi
An extra-ordinary Italian 18th-century physicist: the first woman in Europe to be appointed professorship in a scientific field.
Featuring artwork & words by Dr. Eleonora Adami, Sci-Illustrate Stories. Set in motion by Dr. Radhika Patnala.
Early life
Laura Maria Caterina Bassi (1711–1778) was born at the end of October 1711, in the Papal city state of Bologna. Her brightness was shining already at a young age. Initially she was followed by her cousin, Father Lorenzo Stegani, who taught her French, Latin and mathematics, all of which she quickly and equally mastered. When she was 13, her tutor, physician Gaetano Tacconi, was granted her parents’ permission to teach her logic, physics, psychology and other subjects taught in universities that she — being a woman — couldn’t attend.
An exceptional occurrence
The year 1732 marks the start of Laura’s academic career and groundbreaking achievements. On April 17th 1732, a large audience gathered at Palazzo Pubblico, the residence of the head of the Senate of the city of Bologna, to witness the defense of a series of Theses which would earn a successful candidate a degree of Doctor of…
