Laura Bassi (1711-1778) was the first woman to be offered an official teaching position at a European university. Bassi had a significant influence on the scientific culture of the Enlightenment in Italy. She was the most prominent female member of Italy’s leading scientific society, the Bologna Academy of Sciences, and helped create a network of experimenters and teachers connecting Italy with France and England. (Credit: Biblioteca comunale dell’Archiginnasio)
