Laura Bassi - the end of a career
ambertini used his power as Pope to continue modernizing Italy's science institutions. He relaxed the restrictions resulting from the Church's earlier censure of Copernicus and Galileo. At the University of Rome, he created a chair in experimental physics. At Bologna, he lavished the Science Institute with many gifts including his own private library (after his death in 1758). In 1745, he further "re-founded" the Institute by establishing a select group of scholars, named the Benedettini, who would present a scientific paper to the pope each year. Lambertini hand-picked the first 24 of the Benedettini.
The question arose whether there would be room for a Benedettina?
Behind the scenes, Bassi started lobbying through Scarselli to have the Pope appoint her as the 25th and last Benedettini. If chosen, she would have a position equal with her male colleagues for the first time in her career. Some of the professors reacted negatively when her name was suggested, but there was a group of men who supported Bassi. A controversy ensued about whether Bassi would be allowed to vote as a Benedettini. Pope Lambertini delayed his decision allowing Bassi to vote, but he went ahead and appointed Bassi to his elite group of scientists.
The last honor Bassi wrangled forherself came at the end of her life. In 1776, she persuaded the Institute of Sciences, after lengthy debate, to award her the chair (a full professorship) in Experimental Physics. She was sixty-five. Her husband became her official teaching assistant. She died 2 years later. Her husband succeeded her as chair. The 25th position on the Benedettini was retired until 1800 when it was awarded to Maria Dalle Donne, an obstetrician.
Laura Bassi was not at talented as Maria Agnesi, a mathematician who followed her to Bologna in 1750. Bassi did not generate as many original ideas in math or in science. Compared to the aristocratic Emilie du Chatelet, she lacked the daring to defy public convention. Bassi did not publish any books on physics like Chatelet or dress up in men's clothing when she wanted to debate scientific theory in coffee houses. What Bassi did have was staying power. She worked all of her adult life in physics both as an experimenter and as a teacher. No other 18th century women can claim that. Laura Bassi had an extroadinary career in physics.
Allison Nies Copyright 1999
FURTHER READING:
1. "An Introduction to Laura Bassi," by Alberto Elena, Isis, 1991, Vol. 82, pages 510-518.
2. "Science as a Career in Enlightenment Italy," by Paula Findlen, Isis, Vol. 84, pages 441-469.
3. The Physicist Laura Bassi, by Beate Ceranski, 1996
4. "Italy: Warm Climate for Women on the Mediterranean," by Faye Flam, in a special issue of Science Magazine entitled Women in Science '94, Vol 263, 1994, pages 1480-1482.
5. "Laura Bassi, Physicist," by Gary L. Cheatham, Notable Women in the Physical Sciences, 1998.
6. "The University of Bologna," by E. A. Pace, The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. II, On-line edition, 1999.
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