Mary Albertson

The Nantucket Maria Mitchell Memorial - Library.
Credit: Digital Commonwealth

Mary Albertson was born in June 1838 and was both an astronomer and a botanist. From 1904 to 1914, Albertson was the librarian and curator of the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association which was created in an effort to preserve the legacy of astronomer Maria Mitchell (who was Albertson's cousin). Under her leadership, the activities of the Maria Mitchell Association fell into four categories: the Memorial House which consisted of momentos of Maria Mitchell herself, the natural science of Nantucket Island, astronomy, and a library. In 1904, Albertson set up the Department of Natural Science so that all visitors to the Memorial House could learn about both Mitchell and the nature of the surrounding region. In addition, Albertson started a lecture series on birds, butterflies, and solar eclipses in 1906. She also developed "Moon Evenings" in which attendees could peer through Mitchell's own telescopes. Albertson had a major role in developing and expanding the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association and in inspiring many future entomologists, botanists, astronomers, and other natural scientists.

For additional information on the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association, please see:

• The First Half Century of the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association
• The Maria Mitchell Observatory - For Astronomical Research and Public Enlightenment