I would as soon put a girl alone into a closet to meditate as give her only the society of her needle.

At home Maria's father taught her astronomy using his personal telescope. She became professor of astronomy at Vassar College in 1865 the first person (male or female) appointed to the faculty. She was also named as Director of the Vassar College Observatory.

She won a gold medal prize for her discovery which was presented to her by King Frederick VII of Denmark. Maria Mitchell (August 1 1818 – June 28 1889) (pron: ma-RY-ah) was an American astronomer who in 1847 by using a telescope discovered a comet which as a result became known as the "Miss Mitchell's Comet".