Sarah Frances Whiting

American physicist and astronomer

Born: August 23, 1847 · Died: September 12, 1927

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Who was Sarah Frances Whiting?

Sarah Frances Whiting (August 23, 1847 – September 12, 1927) was an American physicist and astronomer. In February 1896 Whiting founded both the physics and astronomy departments; and was the first professor of physics and astronomy at Wellesley College, where she taught for over 30 years. At Wellesley College, Whiting instructed several notable astronomers and physicists, including Annie Jump Cannon. Whiting was interested from an early age in science by her father, who taught natural philosophy. Whiting graduated from Ingham University in 1865, after which she taught classics and mathematics at Brooklyn Heights Seminary, a girls' secondary school in Brooklyn. Whiting was appointed by Wellesley College president Henry Fowle Durant, one year after the College's 1875 opening, as its first professor of physics. Sarah was one of the two daughters of Elizabeth Lee Comstock Whiting and Joel Whiting. She would often attend and help setup presentations for his classes.

Historical significance

Whiting was one of the founders and the first director of the Whitin Observatory.

Sources and further reading

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Chicago

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