Obligatory amateurs

Annie Maunder (1868–1947) and British women astronomers at the dawn of professional astronomy

Dados Bibliográficos

ID8395389
AutoresMarilyn Bailey Ogilvie (University of Oklahoma, autor correspondente)
Ano2000
Volume33
Fascículo1
Páginas67-84
Data de publicação2000-03-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoThe British Journal for the History of Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0007-0874 • E-ISSN: 1474-001X
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0007087499003878
OpenAlexW2063020560
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas7
Referências citadas2

This paper explores the careers of several British women astronomers in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. I postulate that the only category of scientific practice open to most of these women was that of an ‘amateur’. They would have become professionals had they had the opportunity but since they were barred from professional status they used their talents to promote the importance of amateur science. I propose the term ‘obligatory amateur’ for these women who, unlike men, were unable to choose amateur or professional status. I explore this concept of a ‘gendered’ amateurism through the life and works of Annie Maunder, with references to British women astronomers contemporary with her

Amateur · Archaeology · Art history · Sociology · Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes · History · History and Developments in Astronomy · History of Science and Natural History