Born: 1857 (Dundee, Scotland)
Died: 1911
Biography:
Williamina Paton Stevens Fleming (15 May 1857 – 21 May 1911) was a Scottish-American astronomer who played a significant role in the field of astronomy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Dundee, Scotland, Fleming’s life was marked by hardships and challenges, but her determination, intelligence, and passion for astronomy propelled her into a distinguished career.
Fleming’s early life was not easy. She was born on 15 May 1857 to Mary Walker and Robert Stevens, a carver and gilder. At the age of fourteen, she began working as a pupil-teacher, displaying her intelligence and aptitude for learning from an early age. In 1877, she married James Orr Fleming, an accountant and widower, and the couple later had a son named Edward.
In 1878, Fleming and her husband decided to emigrate to Boston, Massachusetts, seeking a better life in the United States. However, their dreams were shattered when James Orr Fleming abandoned his family, leaving Williamina to support herself and her young son. In a stroke of serendipity, she found work as a maid in the home of Professor Edward Charles Pickering, the director of the Harvard College Observatory (HCO).
It was through this connection that Fleming’s astronomical journey began. Pickering’s wife Elizabeth recognized Fleming’s talents extended beyond domestic work and recommended her to Pickering. Impressed by her intellect and determination, Pickering hired Fleming in 1879 to assist in the photographic classification of stellar spectra on a part-time basis.
Fleming quickly proved herself invaluable to the observatory, and in 1881, Pickering invited her to join the HCO as a full-time staff member. He also took on the responsibility of teaching her how to analyze stellar spectra. This marked the beginning of a groundbreaking career that would shape the field of astronomy and human computers.
Fleming became one of the founding members of the Harvard Computers, an all-women group of human computers hired by Pickering. These women were responsible for computing mathematical classifications and editing the observatory’s publications. Fleming’s exceptional skills and dedication earned her a prominent role within the group and led to her significant contributions to the field of astronomy.
One of Fleming’s most notable achievements was her work on the Henry Draper Catalogue. In 1886, Mary Anna Draper, the widow of astronomer Henry Draper, established the Henry Draper Memorial to fund the HCO’s research. In response, the HCO embarked on the ambitious task of creating the Henry Draper Catalogue, which aimed to obtain the optical spectra of as many stars as possible and classify them accordingly.
Fleming was appointed the head of the Draper Catalogue project, and her role was crucial in shaping the direction of the research. However, differences arose within the team regarding the classification scheme. While Antonia Maury advocated for a complex approach, Fleming believed in a more straightforward and simplified system. Eventually, Fleming’s approach prevailed, leading to a more efficient and accessible classification process.
Throughout her career, Fleming cataloged over ten thousand stars, 59 gaseous nebulae, more than 310 variable stars, and numerous novae and other astronomical phenomena. Her work not only advanced the field of astronomy but also contributed to the development of a common designation system for stars.
Perhaps one of Fleming’s most significant contributions to astronomy was her discovery of the Horsehead Nebula in 1888, a dark nebula located in the Orion constellation. This groundbreaking discovery further solidified her reputation as an accomplished astronomer.
Williamina Fleming’s life and achievements were remarkable, particularly considering the social and gender inequalities of her time. Her perseverance, intellect, and passion for astronomy broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of astronomers, especially women, to pursue their dreams.
Awards:
– American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow (1906)
– Awarded honorary membership to the Société Astronomique de France (1908)