Maria Gordon
Encyclopedia
Maria Matilda Ogilvie Gordon (30 April 1864 – 24 June 1939) was a 19th century Scottish
scientist.
, Aberdeenshire
in 1864, the eldest daughter of educationalist Rev. D. A. Ogilvie and Maria Matilda Nichol. She had five brothers and two sisters. Several of her family members were educators, and her elder brother was also a scientist, Francis Grant Ogilvie
. She was educated at the Ladies' College
in Edinburgh
, the Royal Academy of Music
, (where she studied the piano
), Heriot-Watt College and University College London
. She completed her Bachelor of Science
degree in 1890, specialising in geology
, botany
and zoology
. In 1891, she travelled to Germany
to continue her studies but was refused entry to Berlin University. (Women were not admitted to higher education institutions at the time in Germany.) She had befriended German scientist Ferdinand von Richthofen
and his wife, who accompanied her to Munich
where she studied with Karl von Zittel and Richard von Hertwig and carried out research. In July 1891, the Richthofens travelled to the Dolomites
for five weeks, inviting Ogilvie to go with them. It was in the Dolomites with Richthofen that she began to focus her work on geology. In 1893 she was awarded the Doctor of Science
from the University of London
and was the first woman to receive this degree.
In 1895 she married Dr. John Gordon of Aberdeen. They had three children.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
scientist.
Biography
Maria Ogilvie was born in MonymuskMonymusk
Monymusk is a planned village in the Marr area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland which was almost entirely rebuilt in 1840, although its history dates back to 1170.It is a site for fishing on the nearby River Don.-External links:* *...
, Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
in 1864, the eldest daughter of educationalist Rev. D. A. Ogilvie and Maria Matilda Nichol. She had five brothers and two sisters. Several of her family members were educators, and her elder brother was also a scientist, Francis Grant Ogilvie
Francis Grant Ogilvie
Sir Francis Grant Ogilvie CB was a British scientist and museum curator.Ogilvie was born in Aberdeen, the eldest son of the Reverend Alexander Ogilvie, headmaster of Robert Gordon's College. He was educated at the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh and then became Assistant...
. She was educated at the Ladies' College
George Watson's College
George Watson's College, known informally as Watson's, is a co-educational independent day school in Scotland, situated on Colinton Road, in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh. It was first established as a hospital school in 1741, became a day school in 1871 and was merged with its sister school...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
, (where she studied the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
), Heriot-Watt College and University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
. She completed her Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in 1890, specialising in geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
, botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
and zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
. In 1891, she travelled to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to continue her studies but was refused entry to Berlin University. (Women were not admitted to higher education institutions at the time in Germany.) She had befriended German scientist Ferdinand von Richthofen
Ferdinand von Richthofen
Ferdinand Freiherr von Richthofen was a German traveller, geographer, and scientist.-Biography:He was born in Carlsruhe, Prussian Silesia, and was educated in Breslau and Berlin. He traveled or studied in the Alps of Tyrol and the Carpathians in Transylvania...
and his wife, who accompanied her to Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
where she studied with Karl von Zittel and Richard von Hertwig and carried out research. In July 1891, the Richthofens travelled to the Dolomites
Dolomites
The Dolomites are a mountain range located in north-eastern Italy. It is a part of Southern Limestone Alps and extends from the River Adige in the west to the Piave Valley in the east. The northern and southern borders are defined by the Puster Valley and the Sugana Valley...
for five weeks, inviting Ogilvie to go with them. It was in the Dolomites with Richthofen that she began to focus her work on geology. In 1893 she was awarded the Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
from the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
and was the first woman to receive this degree.
In 1895 she married Dr. John Gordon of Aberdeen. They had three children.