# Laura Bassi

> Italian physicist (1711-1778)

**Wikidata**: [Q541652](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q541652)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Bassi)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/laura-bassi

## Summary
Laura Bassi was an Italian physicist (1711–1778) known for her groundbreaking work in physics education and research. She was one of the first women to earn a doctorate in physics and made significant contributions to the field, though her achievements were often overshadowed by her gender.

## Biography
- Born: 1711
- Nationality: Italian
- Education: Doctorate in physics (one of the first women to earn this degree)
- Known for: Pioneering work in physics and advocating for women in science
- Employer(s): University of Bologna (where she taught and conducted research)
- Field(s): Physics

## Contributions
Laura Bassi made significant contributions to physics, including:
- Teaching physics at the University of Bologna, where she was the first woman to hold a full professorship in the faculty of philosophy.
- Publishing research on topics such as magnetism and electricity, though her work was not widely recognized during her lifetime.
- Advocating for women's education in science, despite facing significant gender-based discrimination.

## FAQs
**Where did Laura Bassi study and teach?**
Laura Bassi studied and taught at the University of Bologna, where she became the first woman to hold a full professorship in the faculty of philosophy.

**What was Laura Bassi's most significant achievement?**
Laura Bassi was one of the first women to earn a doctorate in physics and was a pioneer in physics education for women.

**Did Laura Bassi face discrimination in her career?**
Yes, despite her achievements, Laura Bassi faced significant gender-based discrimination, which limited the recognition of her contributions during her lifetime.

## Why They Matter
Laura Bassi's work was pivotal in advancing women's participation in science. She broke barriers as a female physicist and educator, paving the way for future generations of women in STEM. Her contributions to physics, though often overlooked, laid the groundwork for future research in the field. Without her, the representation of women in physics education and research would have been far less advanced.

## Notable For
- First woman to earn a doctorate in physics.
- First woman to hold a full professorship in the faculty of philosophy at the University of Bologna.
- Pioneer in advocating for women's education in science.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Laura Bassi was born in 1711 and received her education at the University of Bologna, where she became one of the first women to earn a doctorate in physics. Her academic achievements were remarkable, as women were rarely allowed to pursue advanced degrees in science at the time.

### Career and Research
Laura Bassi taught physics at the University of Bologna, where she was the first woman to hold a full professorship in the faculty of philosophy. Her research focused on topics such as magnetism and electricity, though her work was not widely recognized during her lifetime due to gender-based discrimination.

### Advocacy and Legacy
Despite facing significant challenges, Laura Bassi advocated for women's education in science. Her legacy continues to inspire women in STEM, highlighting the importance of breaking barriers in academic and professional fields. Laura Bassi's contributions remain influential in the history of physics and gender equality in science.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [Cinema all'aperto in Piazza Maggiore: omaggio a Laura Bassi](https://magazine.unibo.it/archivio/2020/07/02/cinema-allaperto-in-piazza-maggiore-omaggio-a-laura-bassi)
8. [Source](http://global.britannica.com/biography/Laura-Bassi)
9. The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science
10. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
11. [Source](https://www.unibo.it/it/ateneo/chi-siamo/la-nostra-storia/personaggi-celebri-ospiti-e-allievi-illustri/laura-bassi-1/laura-bassi)
12. [Source](https://biography.yourdictionary.com/laura-bassi)
13. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
14. SNAC
15. FemBio database
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. [Source](https://www.arcadia.uzh.ch/donnedetails.php?id=28)
18. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb135103950)
19. FactGrid