Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

Jascin Finger • January 4, 2021

Jan 10. {1855} The older I grow the more I admire independence of character and yet the less does this characteristic belong to me and the more rare does it seem to be in the world.

Maria Mitchell was independent, and was certainly independent of character – more than she seemed to give herself credit here.  She seemed to believe that as she grew older, she lost this trait more and more – that it became diluted and that, perhaps, she didn’t step up and speak out.  That she didn’t make her own path.  I don’t see that in her at all.  In fact, I see her becoming even more vocal, more true to herself as she grew older.  An inner strength that grew within her as she became more confident in herself.  But what she notes is also timely, it does seem even today, more and more, that people tend to be less apt to speak up and to be different from the crowd.  That eyes cast downward, people shuffle along not willing to be different.


JNLF

Recent Posts

Maria Mitchell In Her Own Words

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • October 19, 2026
October 1. {1857} No place that I have yet seen in Europe has interested me like Abbotsford; no palace has held such royalty. I sat down in the chair which Sir Walter Scott had occupied, and I almost felt his presence; his power I had known nearly all my life . . . . It was rather a sad visit as all such visits must be . . . I had half a mind to sit down and cry, perhaps because the “wizard” was dead, perhaps because I was a little homesick. This date marked the anniversary of Maria Mitchell’s comet discovery on October 1, 1847. At least one of Scott’s books exists in Maria’s personal library today – and I am sure there were more – handed about among family members, as well as available at the Nantucket Atheneum. This was truly an experience and education for Maria – touring through Europe. It was also the first time she had even been away from home for any length of time. She was entering into her third month away from her family and Nantucket – it must not have been easy. Keep in mind – no easy communication – letters only, do not forget. At least a voice at the other end of a phone line can help a bit when one is homesick. (Yeah, no, I’m not a Facetime/Skype kind of girl. I do “live” in the 19 th century!) JNLF

Keep Calm and Bird On: October 2026

October 1, 2026
“If you don’t look, you don’t see. You have to go and look.” -Edith Andrews

Celebrating Maria’s Discovery of a Comet – October 1, 1847

By Jascin N. Leonardo Finger • October 1, 2026
10mo 1, 1847. {October 1, 1847} This evening at half past ten Maria discovered a telescopic comet five degrees above Polaris. Persuaded that no nebulae could occupy that position unnoticed it scarcely needed the evidence of motion to give it the character of a comet. From the journals of William Mitchell, father of Maria. One hundred and seventy-nine years later! JNLF
Show More