Lucy Wilson

Lucy Wilson (1888–1980) was an American physicist, known for her research on theories of vision, optics and X-ray spectroscopy.

Biography

She was born October 19, 1888 in Bloomington, Illinois. She earned her bachelors from Wellesley College in 1909, following which she became an assistant and then an instructor in physics at Mount Holyoke College. She left this position to complete a PhD at Johns Hopkins University, and received a position at Wellesley College in 1917. She became a professor in physics and psychology in 1935. This dual appointment was a result of work in both perception and optics. From 1938 she also held administrative positions, beginning with acting dean of college in 1938 and dean of students in 1939. She was named the Sarah Frances Whiting professor in 1945, a position created in honor of the Wesley College physicist and astronomer Sarah Frances Whiting. She retired in 1954, following which the senior class established a scholarship fund in her name. She died in 1980.

See also

• Women in science
• List of female scientists before the 21st century