Description

The first biography of a pioneering scientist who made significant contributions to our understanding of dark matter and championed the advancement of women in science

In Vera Rubin A Life prolific science writers Jacqueline Mitton and Simon Mitton provide a detailed accessible overview of Rubins work showing how she leveraged immense curiosity profound intelligence and novel technologies to help transform our understanding of the cosmos But Rubins impact was not limited to her contributions to scientific knowledge She also helped to transform scientific practice by promoting the careers of women researchers Not content to be an inspiration Rubin was a mentor and a champion She advocated for hiring women faculty inviting women speakers to major conferences and honoring women with awards that were historically the exclusive province of men

Rubins papers and correspondence yield vivid insights into her life and work as she faced down gender discrimination and met the demands of family and research throughout a long and influential career Deftly written with both scientific experts and general readers in mind Vera Rubin is a portrait of a woman with insatiable curiosity about the universe who never stopped asking questions and encouraging other women to do the same