Margaret Bryan, a pioneering figure in women’s science education, has recently been identified as Margaret Haverkam through genealogical research by Gregory Girolami, a chemistry professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In the early 1800s, Bryan authored several influential textbooks on astronomy and physics aimed at young women, communicating with prominent mathematicians and astronomers of her time. Despite her significant contributions, details of her life remained obscure until Girolami’s investigation, published in Notes and Records: The Royal Society Journal of the History of Science. His research revealed Bryan’s maiden name, marital status, and the names of her two daughters, Ann Marian and Maria. The mystery of Bryan’s birth and death dates persists, but baptismal records suggest she was born around October 1759. Girolami also uncovered that she married William Bryan in 1783. Although Bryan’s death date remains uncertain, a notice from 1836 may reference her passing. Girolami aims for this research to inspire further exploration into Bryan’s life and her remarkable achievements in a time when few women pursued scientific endeavors. His work sheds light on Bryan’s legacy, celebrating her role in advancing women’s education in the sciences.
