Women in the sciences were excluded by men of scientific studies because people at the time believed that women were limited to faculties like housework and beauty. According to Samuel Pepys diary entry in 1777, the Duchess of Newcastle wanted to be and was invited to the meeting of the Royal Society of Scientists after a long discourse. In his entry, Pepys states that ‘her dress so antique and her deportment so ordinary, that I do not like her at all..’ clearly missing the point of her presence; not to be beautiful, but to learn. Pepys was probably being honest because he wrote this in a diary, something that is private and not for others to read. A Gottingen newspaper, states the belief that if a woman studies the sciences, it is most probable…show more content… According to Marie Thiroux d’ Arconville, a French anatomical illustrator, women should not study medicine or astronomy for it is too complex for them to comprehend and that they should be satisfied with how they can use their grace and beauty to manipulate people. Marie Meurdrac, a French scientist, published a book “Chemistry Simplified for Women” in 1666 which stated that a woman teach not teach. The title of her book also contributes to the belief that women are intellectually inferior to men and that studies should be simplified for them to understand. She also reminds the reader that a lady should always keep her mouth shut and only listen and learn. The ability of a woman to contribute to the sciences is questionable if they can’t teach, only listen. Some women obviously did not support women in the…show more content… According to Maria Sibylla Merian, a German entomologist, she dedicated her life to science and withdrew from the human society that most likely reproached her for her continuous study of insects. Another woman who worked hard for science was Marquise Emilie du Chatelet’s. In 1749, she responds to Marquis Jean Franҫois de Saint-Lambert’s disapproval of her work on translating Newton’s Principia. In the letter, she states that he must not reproach her for she has been contributing so much of her time and effort for her work. She mentions that she only sleeps three to four hours and works straight hours, only eating a little bit. Her letter was written from her point of view therefore it was written in her defense. Dedication to the sciences was also shown by Marie Cunitz. According to Johann Eberti, Marie Cunitz, whose work clarified the work of Johannes Kepler, was so dedicated to astronomy that she sleeps during the day for she stays up all night to watch the stars therefore neglecting her household. Gottfried Kirch , a German astronomer, states in 1680 that his wife, Maria Winkelmann found a comet in the sky which he had not seen the night before. He recognized the fact that his wife had found something he missed and did not hesitate to give her credit. Recognition of the women was also portrayed in Johannes Hevelius’
