Maria Dalle Donne
Encyclopedia
Maria Dalle Donne was an Italian physician
and a director at the University of Bologna
. She was the first female doctorate in medicine, and the second woman to become a member of the Ordine de Benedettini Academici Pensionati.
Dalle Donne was born to a peasant family in a village outside Bologna
. Her talents was early recognized and she was encouraged to study medicine at the University of Bologna. In 1799, she presented her dissertation and took the examination, which made her the first female doctorate in medicine. She passed the examination with highest honors (maxima cum laude).
In 1800, Dalle Donne published three scientific papers. The first paper, on anatomy and physiology, was a review and commentary on work previously done on female reproduction and fertility
, fetal malformations, and blood circulation in the uterus
. The second paper suggested for the first time that diseases be classified on the basis of symptoms. The third paper focused on midwifery and the care of newborns.
In 1829, Dalle Donne became the second female, after Laura Bassi
, to be inducted to the prestigious Ordine de Benedettini Academici Pensionati, in which she was given the title "Academic". In 1832, Dalle Donne became Director of the Department of Midwifery at the University of Bologna.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and a director at the University of Bologna
University of Bologna
The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world, the word 'universitas' being first used by this institution at its foundation. The true date of its founding is uncertain, but believed by most accounts to have been 1088...
. She was the first female doctorate in medicine, and the second woman to become a member of the Ordine de Benedettini Academici Pensionati.
Dalle Donne was born to a peasant family in a village outside Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
. Her talents was early recognized and she was encouraged to study medicine at the University of Bologna. In 1799, she presented her dissertation and took the examination, which made her the first female doctorate in medicine. She passed the examination with highest honors (maxima cum laude).
In 1800, Dalle Donne published three scientific papers. The first paper, on anatomy and physiology, was a review and commentary on work previously done on female reproduction and fertility
Fertility
Fertility is the natural capability of producing offsprings. As a measure, "fertility rate" is the number of children born per couple, person or population. Fertility differs from fecundity, which is defined as the potential for reproduction...
, fetal malformations, and blood circulation in the uterus
Uterus
The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...
. The second paper suggested for the first time that diseases be classified on the basis of symptoms. The third paper focused on midwifery and the care of newborns.
In 1829, Dalle Donne became the second female, after Laura Bassi
Laura Bassi
Laura Maria Caterina Bassi was an Italian scientist, the first woman to officially teach at a university in Europe.-Biography:Born in Bologna into a wealthy family with a lawyer as a father, she was privately educated and tutored for seven years in her teens by Gaetano Tacconi...
, to be inducted to the prestigious Ordine de Benedettini Academici Pensionati, in which she was given the title "Academic". In 1832, Dalle Donne became Director of the Department of Midwifery at the University of Bologna.