Talented Women who were Overshadowed by their male relatives - BBC News

BBC News

28 Nov 201807:00

Summary

TLDRThis video script takes us on a journey through time and space to highlight the achievements of five remarkable women overshadowed by history. From 18th century England, Caroline Herschel, the first woman paid for her scientific contributions, is known for discovering comets and astronomical objects alongside her brother William. In 19th century Japan, Katsushika Oye, daughter of the famous artist Hokusai, was an accomplished painter whose works were often misattributed to her father. Fanny Mendelssohn, a Victorian composer, initially unrecognized, had her 'Easter Sonata' rightfully credited to her only in 2012. Malava, Einstein's first wife and a strong student, was a collaborator in his work but received little credit. Lastly, Simone Cousteau, an adventurer and ocean researcher, was a key figure in her husband Jacques' expeditions, known as the real captain of the Calypso. These stories bring to light the significant yet often overlooked contributions of these women to their respective fields.

Takeaways

🌌 Caroline Herschel was an 18th-century astronomer who discovered eight comets, a galaxy, and a nebula, and was the first woman in England to be paid for her scientific contributions.
🎵 Fanny Mendelssohn was a talented composer whose work was often mistakenly attributed to her brother Felix. Her 'Easter Sonata' was not premiered under her name until 2012.
🎨 Katsushika Oye was a 19th-century Japanese painter who created beautiful women paintings that even her famous father, Katsushika Hokusai, praised and admitted he couldn't compete with.
📚 Mileva Marić was Albert Einstein's first wife, a strong student who once outperformed Einstein in applied physics. She collaborated with him on studies, but received little credit.
🌊 Simone Cousteau was an adventurous woman who left her Parisian lifestyle to explore the oceans with her husband Jacques. She was the first woman acronaut, a diver, and a business partner.
👣 Caroline Herschel's dedication to her work led her to travel 30 miles on one hour's sleep to claim her discovery of an eighth comet before anyone else could.
🎼 Fanny Mendelssohn's father discouraged her from pursuing music as a profession, believing it should remain an ornament rather than the foundation of her daily life.
🏆 Mileva Marić and Albert Einstein had an agreement that if he ever received the Nobel Prize, she would get the money. After their divorce, it's believed she threatened to reveal her involvement in his work.
🌐 The script highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in history, particularly in the fields of science and art, where their work was frequently overshadowed by male counterparts.
🎭 Despite Simone Cousteau's significant role in Jacques Cousteau's expeditions, she avoided the limelight and was not featured in his documentaries, yet she was known as 'the real captain of the Calypso'.

Q & A

Who was Caroline Herschel and what is her significance in astronomy?
-Caroline Herschel was an 18th-century English astronomer who discovered eight comets, one of which was named after her. She also discovered a galaxy and a nebula. She was the first woman in England to be paid for her contributions to science and worked alongside her brother William Herschel, with whom she discovered 2400 astronomical objects.
What was Caroline Herschel's approach to securing recognition for her discovery of the eighth comet?
-To ensure recognition for her discovery of the eighth comet, Caroline Herschel traveled 30 miles on only one hour's sleep to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to stake her claim before anyone else could.
Who was Katsushika Oye and how is she connected to the famous artist Katsushika Hokusai?
-Katsushika Oye was the daughter of the famous Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. She was an accomplished painter herself, known for her 'bijinga' paintings of beautiful women. Hokusai praised her work, admitting he couldn't compete with it. However, her name has often been left out of history books, and her art has sometimes been mistakenly attributed to Hokusai.
What is the significance of Fanny Mendelssohn's 'Easter Sonata'?
-Fanny Mendelssohn's 'Easter Sonata' was initially attributed to her brother Felix Mendelssohn. It was only premiered under her name in 2012, just before her 15th birthday. This highlights the gender biases of the time, as her music was often unpublished or published under her brother's name.
What was the relationship between Mileva Maric and Albert Einstein, and how did it affect their academic and personal lives?
-Mileva Maric was Albert Einstein's first wife, and they were both strong students at the university where they studied together. Maric once outperformed Einstein in applied physics. Their joint studies are believed to have been the start of years of collaboration, although she received little credit for it. After their divorce, there was an agreement that if Einstein received the Nobel Prize, Maric would get the money, but it ended up being given to their sons.
Who was Simone Cousteau and what was her role in the famous explorer Jacques Cousteau's expeditions?
-Simone Cousteau was Jacques Cousteau's wife who left her fashionable Parisian lifestyle to explore and research the oceans with him aboard their ship, the Calypso. She was the first woman acronaut, a diver, a business partner, and was known as 'la bager' or 'the shepherd' of the expeditions. Despite avoiding the limelight, she played a significant role and was described by her son Jean-Michel as the real captain of the Calypso.
What challenges did Caroline Herschel face in her pursuit of recognition in the field of astronomy?
-Caroline Herschel faced the challenge of being overshadowed by her brother William, who was more well-known for discovering Uranus. She also had to overcome societal norms and expectations as a woman in a male-dominated field. Herschel had to be determined and assertive, as evidenced by her journey to the Royal Observatory to claim her discovery.
How did societal attitudes towards women in the 19th century impact Katsushika Oye's recognition as an artist?
-Societal attitudes in the 19th century often relegated women's contributions to the background. As a result, Katsushika Oye's artwork was sometimes hung under her father's name in galleries, and her name was left out of history books, leading to her accomplishments being underappreciated.
What was the role of Fanny Mendelssohn's father in shaping her musical career?
-Fanny Mendelssohn's father played a significant role in shaping her musical career by discouraging her from pursuing music as a profession, stating that it could become a profession for her brother Felix but would remain only an ornament for her, never the foundation of her daily life.
How did Mileva Maric's academic achievements compare to Albert Einstein's during their time at university?
-Mileva Maric was a strong student and, on one occasion, she outperformed Albert Einstein by receiving the top mark in applied physics, earning a five compared to his one.
What were some of the unique experiences and challenges Simone Cousteau faced while living underwater during the expeditions?
-Simone Cousteau experienced living underwater for days at a time, which likely presented unique challenges such as adapting to the underwater environment, managing the logistics of living in such conditions, and contributing to the research and exploration efforts.

Outlines

00:00

🌌 Astronomical Discoveries of Caroline Herschel

Caroline Herschel was an 18th-century English astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of astronomy. She discovered eight comets, one of which was named after her, and also identified a galaxy and a nebula. Herschel was the first woman in England to be financially compensated for her scientific work. Despite her brother William's fame for discovering Uranus, Caroline's work was often overshadowed by his. She dedicated much of her time to cataloguing William's work, but together they discovered 2400 astronomical objects. Determined to gain recognition, Caroline once traveled 30 miles on an hour's sleep to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to claim her discovery of an eighth comet before anyone else could.

05:02

🎨 The Overlooked Art of Katsushika Oye

In 19th-century Japan, Katsushika Hokusai, known for his iconic artwork 'The Great Wave of Kanagawa', was not the only artist in his family. His daughter, Katsushika Oye, was also an accomplished painter, particularly praised by Hokusai for her 'bijinga' paintings of beautiful women, which he admitted he couldn't compete with. Unfortunately, Oye's name has often been omitted from history books, and many of her works have been misattributed to Hokusai. However, Oye has gained a cult following, with anime, documentaries, and graphic novels being created to tell her story, and she has been referred to as 'the next wave' in the art world.

🎵 Fanny Mendelssohn's Musical Legacy

Fanny Mendelssohn, sister of the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn, was a talented composer in her own right. Her 'Easter Sonata' was initially attributed to her brother and only premiered under her name in 2012, just before her 15th birthday. Despite her father's belief that music could only be an ornament and not the foundation of a woman's life, Fanny composed many pieces, most of which remained unpublished during her lifetime. Some of her works were even published under Felix's name. Ironically, when Felix met Queen Victoria, she chose one of Fanny's pieces, 'Italian,' as her favorite, mistakenly believing it to be his composition.

🧐 The Intellectual Partnership of Mileva Maric and Albert Einstein

Mileva Maric, Albert Einstein's first wife, was a strong student at the university they both attended, even outperforming Einstein in applied physics. Their joint studies are believed to have been the beginning of years of collaboration, although Maric received little credit for her contributions. At a British committee dinner in London honoring Professor Einstein, 43 letters between them were mentioned, with one from Albert expressing his happiness at the prospect of them concluding their work on relative motion together. After their divorce, it was agreed that if Einstein ever received the Nobel Prize, Maric would receive the money. However, after his death, his will gave the money to their sons. Maric was later advised by Einstein to remain modest and silent, suggesting a strained relationship between them.

🌊 Simone Cousteau: The Unsung Heroine of Ocean Exploration

Simone Cousteau, wife of the famous ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, left behind a fashionable Parisian lifestyle to embark on oceanographic adventures with her husband aboard their ship, the Calypso. Simone experienced living underwater for extended periods and was known as 'la bager' or 'the bag lady' of the explorer. She was the first woman acronaut, a diver, a business partner, and was described by her son Jean-Michel as the real captain of the Calypso. Despite avoiding the limelight and not appearing in Jacques' documentaries, Simone's contributions to their expeditions were significant. She cooked for the crew, helped save the Calypso when it lost its moorings, and was an integral part of the team, choosing a life of adventure over a life of leisure.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Caroline Herschel

Caroline Herschel was an 18th-century English astronomer known for discovering comets, a galaxy, and a nebula. She was the first woman in England to be paid for her scientific contributions. The video script highlights her as an example of a woman whose work was overshadowed by her male relatives, in this case, her brother William Herschel who discovered Uranus. Caroline's dedication to her work and her journey to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to claim her discovery of the eighth comet exemplify her determination to gain recognition in a male-dominated field.

💡Katsushika Oye

Katsushika Oye was a 19th-century Japanese painter and the daughter of the famous artist Katsushika Hokusai. She was particularly skilled in painting 'bijin-ga', which are paintings of beautiful women. Despite her father's fame, Oye's work was often attributed to him, and her name has been largely omitted from history books. The script mentions that art historians believe some pieces credited to Hokusai are actually Oye's work, indicating a theme of unrecognized female contributions in the arts.

💡Fanny Mendelssohn

Fanny Mendelssohn was a composer in the 19th century whose music was often mistakenly attributed to her brother, Felix Mendelssohn. The script discusses 'Easter Sonata', a piece initially credited to Felix but later recognized as Fanny's work, premiering under her name in 2012. The video highlights the societal constraints of the time that limited women's professional opportunities, as illustrated by Fanny's father's letter suggesting that music could only be an ornament for her, not a profession.

💡Mileva Maric

Mileva Maric was Albert Einstein's first wife and a fellow student at the university. The script suggests that Maric and Einstein had a collaborative relationship in their studies, with Maric once outperforming Einstein in applied physics. Despite her contributions, she received little credit for their joint work. The video script also mentions a letter from Einstein to Maric, which reflects the era's attitudes towards women's roles and contributions in intellectual pursuits.

💡Simone Cousteau

Simone Cousteau was an adventurer and researcher who, along with her husband Jacques Cousteau, explored the oceans. She was known as 'la bager' or 'the shepherd' of the Calypso, indicating her significant role in the expeditions. The script describes her as the real captain of the Calypso, despite not being featured in Jacques' documentaries. Simone's story represents the theme of women who have made substantial contributions to exploration and science but have remained in the background.

💡Recognition

Recognition in the video script refers to the acknowledgment and appreciation of the contributions made by these women in their respective fields. It is a central theme as it highlights the struggle these women faced in gaining due credit for their work. For instance, Caroline Herschel's journey to the Royal Observatory to claim her discovery of a comet exemplifies her fight for recognition.

💡Astronomy

Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects and the universe as a whole. The script uses astronomy as a backdrop for Caroline Herschel's story, emphasizing her achievements in discovering comets and other celestial bodies. Astronomy is also indirectly referenced through William Herschel's discovery of Uranus, showcasing the field's significance in the narrative.

💡Art

Art is a diverse range of human activities involving creative or imaginative expression, and the script discusses the contributions of Katsushika Oye and her father Hokusai in the context of Japanese art. The recognition of Oye's work in 'bijin-ga' paintings and the misattribution of her art to her father underscore the theme of overlooked female artists in history.

💡Music

Music is an integral part of the script, particularly in the context of Fanny Mendelssohn's story. It represents the creative field where Fanny excelled and faced challenges in receiving recognition due to societal norms. The script mentions 'Easter Sonata' and 'Italian', pieces that were initially misattributed to her brother, highlighting the issue of gender bias in the arts.

💡Physics

Physics is the natural science that studies matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of the universe. The script refers to Mileva Maric's academic achievements in applied physics, where she outperformed Albert Einstein. The mention of their joint studies and the work on 'relative motion' points to the significant role Maric played in a field dominated by men.

💡Exploration

Exploration is the act of discovering or traveling in unknown regions, and the script uses it to describe Simone Cousteau's adventurous spirit and her work in oceanic research. Simone's decision to leave her fashionable Parisian lifestyle for a life of adventure at sea with Jacques Cousteau illustrates the theme of women breaking traditional roles to pursue their passions.

Highlights

Caroline Herschel discovered eight comets and was the first woman in England to be paid for her contributions to science.

Caroline Herschel's work as an astronomer is less known than her brother William's, who discovered Uranus.

Together, Caroline and William Herschel discovered 2400 astronomical objects.

Caroline dedicated time to cataloguing William's work, often overshadowing her own contributions.

Katsushika Oye, daughter of Katsushika Hokusai, was an accomplished painter of beautiful women.

Many of Katsushika Oye's paintings were attributed to her father, leaving her name out of history books.

Fanny Mendelson's 'Easter Sonata' was initially attributed to her brother Felix and only premiered under her name in 2012.

Fanny's father discouraged her music career, stating it should remain an ornament rather than a profession.

Malavath Malava, Albert Einstein's first wife, was a strong student who once outperformed him in applied physics.

Malava and Einstein collaborated on studies, but she received little credit for her contributions.

After their divorce, Malava was to receive the Nobel Prize money if Einstein won, but it went to their sons instead.

Simone Cousteau left a fashionable Parisian lifestyle to explore and research the oceans with her husband Jacques.

Simone was the first woman acronaut, diver, business partner, and was known as 'La Bager' of the Calypso.

Simone's son Jean-Michel described her as the real captain of the Calypso, despite her avoiding the limelight.

Simone helped save the Calypso when it snapped its moorings with no officers aboard, showcasing her adventurous spirit.