Elena Lucrezia Conaro Piscopia was born into a noble family in Venice, Italy, and was recognised as a prodigy at just seven years old. She became fluent in Greek and Latin, whilst also mastering Hebrew, Spanish, French, and Arabic, as well as to her native Italian

By the age of 19, she was acknowledged as the most learned woman in Italy, educated in philosophy, theology, grammar, mathematics, science, and astronomy. She was also considered to be an expert musician, mastering the harpsichord, the clavichord, the harp, and the violin.

She was a member of various academies and became a mathematics lecturer at the University of Padua, and in on this day in 1678 she became the first woman in the world to receive a Ph.D. degree in philosophy, at the age of 32.

She originally wanted to pursue a degree in theology, but the bishop of Padua, Gregorio Cardinal Barbarigo,  refused on the grounds that she was a woman. Dick.

She died in 1684 of tuberculosis and was buried in the church of Santa Giustina at Padua, and her statue was placed in the university.

Have a great night, everyone!