Margaret Flamsteed

Margaret Flamsteed (née Cooke) (c. 1670-1730) is the first woman on record to be associated with astronomy in Britain.[1][2][3] She was married to John Flamsteed, the Astronomical Observer (a post that later became known as Astronomer Royal). After John Flamsteed's death she oversaw publication of both of his most famous works: Historia Coelestis Britannica in 1725 and Atlas Coelestis in 1729. Without her, neither of these two important works would have been published.

Margaret appeared as a character in a play by Kevin Hood called The Astronomer's Garden.[4]

Early life

Daughter of a London lawyer she was a well-educated woman, both literate and numerate.

Life with the Astronomer Royal

Margaret Flamsteed was 22 years old when she married the 46 year-old John Flamsteed; they were married 27 years.

Notebooks in her handwriting and from soon after the marriage, show a competency in, and willingness to learn, mathematics and astronomy. In one entry from John Flamsteed's notes it states the observation was done “solus cum sponsa” (alone with wife). This, and other clues, suggest that while Margaret was not a regular assistant, she was clearly able and willing to assist her husband in his nighttime observations. She also spent daylight hours copying or writing letters for her husband, especially later when his hand became shaky.

Margaret Flamsteed also acted as housekeeper for John, ensuring that his assistants, pupils, and visitors were cared for.

After John Flamsteed's death
Photo of a copy of Atlas Coelestis owned by the Derby Museum and Art Gallery

After John Flamsteeds death in 1719 Margaret oversaw the publication of both the Historia Coelestis Britannica in 1725 and the Atlas Coelestis in 1729. Margaret was assisted by Joseph Crosthwait and Abraham Sharp, two of John Flamsteed's assistants. The publishing of these two great works was an expensive process and one she had to complete while dealing with the complicated fallout of her husband's estate and with diminished funds as many of her savings were lost in the collapsing of the South Sea Bubble of 1720.

Margaret Flamsteed died aged 60 only one year after publication of the Atlas Coelestis.

References
  1. T.), Brück, M. T. (Mary (2009). Women in early British and Irish astronomy : stars and satellites. Royal Astronomical Society. Dordrecht: Springer. ISBN 9789048124732. OCLC 437347262.
  2. Women, science and medicine 1500-1700 : mothers and sisters of the Royal Society. Hunter, Lynette., Hutton, Sarah, 1948-. Thrupp, Stroud, Gloucestershire: Sutton Pub. 1997. ISBN 0750913347. OCLC 37880178.CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. "Women at the ROG - Margaret Flamsteed". Royal Museums Greenwich | UNESCO World Heritage Site In London. 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2018-11-25.
  4. Kevin., Hood (1991). The astronomer's garden ; Beached : two plays. Hood, Kevin. London: Methuen Drama. ISBN 0413650804. OCLC 59884801.
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