Eliza Wilbur facts for kids

Eliza Madelina Wilbur Souvielle (born October 21, 1851 – died March 31, 1930) was an amazing American woman. She was a famous scientist, an expert on stars (an astronomer), a plant specialist (a botanist), and even an inventor! Eliza also wrote books and published a magazine. She was a true pioneer for women in science and many other fields. She lived until 1930, leaving behind a great legacy.

Eliza Wilbur Souvielle: A Pioneer Scientist

Eliza Madelina Wilbur Souvielle was born in 1851. From a young age, she showed a great interest in learning and discovery. She grew up to become one of the most important women of her time, breaking new ground in science and writing.

Early Life and Education

Eliza went to school at the Batavia Female Seminary in New York. This was a special school for girls. Her education there helped her develop her sharp mind and love for learning. She was very dedicated to her studies, especially in science.

Breaking Barriers in Science

Eliza Wilbur Souvielle was a very smart scientist. She might have been the first woman to give science lectures at Harvard University. This was a huge achievement, as it was very rare for women to teach at universities back then. She became a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This group is for top scientists in the country. Her work was so good that it was published in famous magazines and newspapers. These included Scientific American and the New York Herald.

A Talented Writer and Publisher

Besides her science work, Eliza was also a talented writer. She wrote a book called Sequel to the Parliament of Religion. This book was about different non-Western religions. She used a special pen name for this book: Eban Malcolm Sutcliffe. She also wrote The Ulyssiad, which was a biography of Ulysses S. Grant written in poetry! It was published in 1896. Eliza even published her own magazine called Continuity.

Working for Change

Eliza was not just a scientist and writer; she was also very active in her community. She strongly believed in women's suffrage. This was the movement to give women the right to vote. She worked hard to help women gain this important right. For seven years, she was the secretary for the Home for the Aged in Jacksonville. This organization helped older people. She also served as the vice president of the Jacksonville Branch of the League of American Pen Women. This group supported women writers.

Her Inventions and Ideas

Eliza was also an inventor! She received patents for three different telescopes. A patent means she officially owned the idea for her inventions. This shows how creative and smart she was. She was also involved in early efforts to design and build an airplane. Imagine, she was thinking about flying machines even before they were common!

Later Life and Legacy

Eliza married Thomas Basnett in 1880 and moved to Marabanong. After he passed away in 1886, she married a French surgeon named Mathieu Souvielle. Eliza Madelina Wilbur Souvielle passed away on March 31, 1930. She left behind a legacy as a brilliant scientist, a dedicated writer, and a strong advocate for women's rights. Her life showed that women could achieve great things in many different fields.