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Remembering Margaret Rossiter: A Pioneer in Women's Roles in Science

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Margaret Rossiter, the Marie Underhill Noll Emerita Professor of the History of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University, passed away on August 3 at the age of 81. Rossiter was a renowned scholar of the history of women in science, dedicated to uncovering the contributions of women to scientific research and highlighting the ways they were discouraged from pursuing the field.

Rossiter's groundbreaking work included her three-volume book "Women Scientists in America," which won the best book award from the History of Science Society (HSS) in 1997. She also coined the term "the Matilda effect" to describe the systematic suppression of information about women in the history of science. Throughout her career, Rossiter received numerous awards and honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship (1981), a MacArthur Fellowship (1989), and multiple grants from the National Science Foundation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rossiter's work focused on chronicling the achievements of women in science and highlighting their suppression in the history of science.
  • Her book "Women Scientists in America" won the best book award from the History of Science Society (HSS) in 1997.
  • Rossiter coined the term "the Matilda effect" to describe the suppression of women's work in science.
  • She received a Guggenheim Fellowship (1981), a MacArthur Fellowship (1989), and multiple grants from the National Science Foundation.
  • Rossiter was a professor at Cornell University since the mid-1980s and was awarded an endowed chair position in 1991.
  • The Department of Science and Technology Studies at Cornell University offers the Margaret W. Rossiter Women in Science award each year to a rising senior for an essay related to women in science.
  • Rossiter was known for her encyclopedic knowledge of science history and her ability to draw connections others hadn't seen.
  • She leaves behind a legacy of inspiring generations of scholars, including current doctoral student Rebecca Harrison '14 and associate professor Malte Ziewitz.

Statistics:

  • Rossiter was 81 years old at the time of her passing.
  • She received a doctorate from Yale University in 1971.
  • She arrived at Cornell University in the mid-1980s on a visiting lectureship.
  • She was awarded an endowed chair position in 1991.
  • The Margaret W. Rossiter Women in Science award is given annually by the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Cornell University.

Sources:

  • Cornell University: "Margaret Rossiter, history of women in science scholar, dies at 81"
  • History of Science Society: "Best Book Award" (1997)
  • National Science Foundation: Grants awarded to Margaret Rossiter
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science: Fellow members (2013)
  • Smithsonian Institution: Profile of Margaret Rossiter (2019)

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