The Scientific Education of Women

Abstract

WILL you kindly allow me to add some information to an article which I have just seen in NATURE of June 16, on the Scientific Education of Women? First, however, allow me to correct an error which was made in an article on Lectures to Ladies, which I observed in NATURE some months ago, in which it was stated that the first series of educational lectures to women given under the auspices of any society for such lectures, was given under the direction of the Edinburgh Ladies' Educational Association. The fact is, that the first series of lectures of that kind, in recent years, was given in Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield, under the auspices of the “North of England Council for the higher Education of Women.” These lectures were given in the Autumn of 1867. The subject was Physical Astronomy. Under the auspices of that society, as well as of other societies, many sets of lectures have been given since that time on subjects connected with Physical Science. But I have always, regretted, as the writer of your article regrets, that a greater number of the lectures have not been on such subjects, for I have always found that women exhibit a peculiar aptitude for the study of Physical Science. I have also found in my own experience a considerable desire on the part of women for such studies; and I believe that the fewness of such courses of lectures to them is to be put down to the scarcity of people at once competent and willing to teach them such subjects. From all that I have seen there is in my mind no doubt that the desire for true scientific instruction throughout the country, both among women and among men, exceeds the present possibility of supplying that teaching. I called your attention to this fact some months ago, and I believe that we cannot over-estimate its significance.