The First Lady…Doctor
The citizen of Venice I find most interesting is Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, who was the first woman in the world to receive a doctorate degree. She was born into a noble Venetian family in 1646. Elena was the third child of John Baptist Cornaro Piscopia, “Procurator of St. Marks”, whose family were people of note and importance in the history of the Venetian Republic. Lady Elena's abilities were first discovered by her tutor who started her, at age seven, on a life of intellectual activity (Vassar Library). Women at the time were not allowed to be taught scholarly material beyond reading and writing, but her social status and the Renaissance atmosphere of Venice at the time contributed to her father allowing her advanced education. Even from a young age Lady Elena excelled at many academic subjects, but her genius was discovered in her study of language. She learned languages incredibly quickly and was called ‘Oraculum Septilingue’ (epigenesys.eu). She also excelled at many other subjects including math and music. On June 25, 1678 Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia received the Doctorate of Philosophy degree from the University of Padua. At age thirty-two, she was the first woman in the world to receive a doctorate degree. In addition to the doctorate degree, Elena Piscopia received the Doctor's Ring, the Teacher's Ermine cape, and the Poet's Laurel Crown (Ceradsky).
This accomplishment for a woman astounded the world at the time. Her raw intelligence and natural talent for learning made her very famous and an inspiration to many women and men. Dr. Cornaro Piscopia’s achievements show her good citizenship because her courage to stand out as a woman academic in a man’s world illustrates her duty to herself as well as her duty to others. Her family comes from a long line of servicers to the state of Venice, or as Aristotle would say, a long line of good citizens. Aristotle’s beliefs on good citizenship revolve around the idea that societies are formed by people doing their best for the good of the whole. Her family’s service to Venice would be a part of this beneficial citizenship because they are thinking of the good of the entire city when they offer their services, such as her father being the caretaker of the Basilica di San Marco in order to care for one of the most important buildings in the city.
Dr. Cornaro Piscopia’s intelligence fits into this citizenship because her capability of earning a Doctorate of Philosophy shows that she has the kind of intelligence-philosophical- that both Plato and Aristotle view as the highest form of intellect. After receiving her doctorate, she became a mathematics professor at the University of Padua, consolidating even more her exemplary citizenship by giving back to the community. Unfortunately, Dr. Cornaro Piscopia died at the early age of 38, and it will never be known what more she could have done for the world.
Even still, Dr. Cornaro Piscopia is immortalized in a glass window display at Vassar College in New York. Her story and her accomplishments, however, are not as widely known as they maybe should be. This significant event is not included in many, if any, history books. I think it’s important, at least to the women of the world, to know that the first woman to receive a doctorate was in the 15th century! Women throughout history have been given one traditional role and have brutally fought to break out of that role. Elena’s ability to receive such a high honor at the time should serve as a message to women even today to believe in yourself and you can succeed. A problem in today’s society is a lack of women in science—which might simply be a lack of interest in the sciences, but it is also attributed to young girls convincing themselves that they are not smart enough to excel in these subjects. It is interesting to think that if Dr. Cornaro Piscopia was alive today, if she would advocate for the education of women. Because she passed away at such a young age, and also possibly because she was a woman, her opinion is not present in most of the literature about her. Her example of good citizenship can be seen in her accomplishments and what her courage and intelligence shows to the world.
The citizen of Venice I find most interesting is Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, who was the first woman in the world to receive a doctorate degree. She was born into a noble Venetian family in 1646. Elena was the third child of John Baptist Cornaro Piscopia, “Procurator of St. Marks”, whose family were people of note and importance in the history of the Venetian Republic. Lady Elena's abilities were first discovered by her tutor who started her, at age seven, on a life of intellectual activity (Vassar Library). Women at the time were not allowed to be taught scholarly material beyond reading and writing, but her social status and the Renaissance atmosphere of Venice at the time contributed to her father allowing her advanced education. Even from a young age Lady Elena excelled at many academic subjects, but her genius was discovered in her study of language. She learned languages incredibly quickly and was called ‘Oraculum Septilingue’ (epigenesys.eu). She also excelled at many other subjects including math and music. On June 25, 1678 Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia received the Doctorate of Philosophy degree from the University of Padua. At age thirty-two, she was the first woman in the world to receive a doctorate degree. In addition to the doctorate degree, Elena Piscopia received the Doctor's Ring, the Teacher's Ermine cape, and the Poet's Laurel Crown (Ceradsky).
This accomplishment for a woman astounded the world at the time. Her raw intelligence and natural talent for learning made her very famous and an inspiration to many women and men. Dr. Cornaro Piscopia’s achievements show her good citizenship because her courage to stand out as a woman academic in a man’s world illustrates her duty to herself as well as her duty to others. Her family comes from a long line of servicers to the state of Venice, or as Aristotle would say, a long line of good citizens. Aristotle’s beliefs on good citizenship revolve around the idea that societies are formed by people doing their best for the good of the whole. Her family’s service to Venice would be a part of this beneficial citizenship because they are thinking of the good of the entire city when they offer their services, such as her father being the caretaker of the Basilica di San Marco in order to care for one of the most important buildings in the city.
Dr. Cornaro Piscopia’s intelligence fits into this citizenship because her capability of earning a Doctorate of Philosophy shows that she has the kind of intelligence-philosophical- that both Plato and Aristotle view as the highest form of intellect. After receiving her doctorate, she became a mathematics professor at the University of Padua, consolidating even more her exemplary citizenship by giving back to the community. Unfortunately, Dr. Cornaro Piscopia died at the early age of 38, and it will never be known what more she could have done for the world.
Even still, Dr. Cornaro Piscopia is immortalized in a glass window display at Vassar College in New York. Her story and her accomplishments, however, are not as widely known as they maybe should be. This significant event is not included in many, if any, history books. I think it’s important, at least to the women of the world, to know that the first woman to receive a doctorate was in the 15th century! Women throughout history have been given one traditional role and have brutally fought to break out of that role. Elena’s ability to receive such a high honor at the time should serve as a message to women even today to believe in yourself and you can succeed. A problem in today’s society is a lack of women in science—which might simply be a lack of interest in the sciences, but it is also attributed to young girls convincing themselves that they are not smart enough to excel in these subjects. It is interesting to think that if Dr. Cornaro Piscopia was alive today, if she would advocate for the education of women. Because she passed away at such a young age, and also possibly because she was a woman, her opinion is not present in most of the literature about her. Her example of good citizenship can be seen in her accomplishments and what her courage and intelligence shows to the world.