At 14, Mary Fairfax (later Mary Somerville) studied algebra & mathematics, defying her father’s wishes.
Eventually, she began experimenting & writing about #science. Her expertise spanned from astronomy to chemistry to physics & she published articles & books.
Along with Caroline Herschel, Mary became one of the first 2 honorary members of the Royal Astronomical Society. https://pubs.aip.org/physicstoday/article/71/1/46/819012/Mary-Somerville-s-vision-of-scienceThe-Scottish
Mary Somerville’s vision of science
The Scottish mathematician and writer shaped the way we think about science and carved a place for herself in the intellectual world of the 19th century.Secord, James (AIP Publishing)