Maria Mitchell

Originally Aired: April 27, 1938 Cavalcade of America #132, "Maria Mitchell," presents the story of America's first renowned female astronomer. Working as librarian at Nantucket's Athenaeum, young Maria Mitchell devotes her days to studying advanced mathematics and her nights to observing the heavens through a telescope on the roof, despite the concerns of friends like Martha and Abigail who worry she's developing "brain fever" from such unfeminine pursuits. Her father William, himself an accomplished amateur astronomer, encourages her studies even as her mother Lydia worries about Maria's single-minded dedication to science. On the night of October 1, 1847, during a family gathering, Maria urgently summons her father to the telescope. She has discovered what she believes to be a new comet, positioned nearly vertical above Polaris. Though hesitant to announce her finding for fear of being wrong, Maria's father insists on writing to Professor Bond at Harvard Observatory. Three months later, Harvard's president Dr. Edward Everett arrives with news: Maria was indeed the first to observe the comet, beating Italy's distinguished Father Viccio by two nights. However, the question of who will receive the King of Denmark's gold medal for the discovery remains unresolved.