( June 5, 1646 - July 26, 1684 )
Beginning at the age of seven,
Elena Piscopia was well-educated and taught the value of
knowledge. Born into a wealthy Venetian family, she received
tutoring in Latin and Greek and also mastered Hebrew, Spanish,
French, and Arabic, earning her the title of Oraculum
Septilingue.
Studying mathematics, astronomy,
philosophy, and theology, Elena was a scholar of the sciences as
well as of languages. Her "greatest love was for philosophy and
theology,"(1) and in 1672 Elena's father sent her to the
University of Padua to continue her studies.
Elena simply wanted to continue her
education, but her father "insisted that the world recognize his
daughter's incredible knowledge" (1). At his insistence, Elena
applied for a Doctorate of Theology degree from the University
of Padua. Her application met resistance from the Roman
Catholic Church, which refused to confer the title of Doctor of
Theology upon a woman. Elena applied again at her father's
insistence. This time the Church compromised and allowed Elena
to apply for a Doctorate of Philosophy.
At the examination, Elena's
profound answers amazed the examiners, who agreed that her
knowledge surpassed even the Doctorate of Philosophy (1). On
June 25, 1678, Elena Piscopia received the Doctorate of
Philosophy from the University of Padua. At age thirty-two she
was the first woman in the world to receive a doctorate degree.
Participating in lectures and
debates, Elena was an esteemed member of various academies
throughout Europe. She became a mathematics lecturer at the
University of Padua in 1678. Her math writings were published in
1688 in Italy, and today she is still widely quoted by other
scholars and writers (1).
http://www.svsu.edu/writingprogram/femmes/braun-rick-01.htm
