Laura Bassi (1711–1778): The World’s First Female University Professor

Abstract

After Hypatia’s death, it would be seven centuries before another woman, Hildegard of Bingen, asserted herself in the male-dominated domain of scholarship. After her death, another six hundred years would pass before any other important female academics would make an appearance in the scientific world. Even though the universities were growing more prestigious and knowledge was accumulating in them during this period, women were strictly forbidden in academia. Only a very few could make a name for themselves in scientific circles or win a place in the lecture halls.