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Mary Louisa <I>Duncan</I> Putnam

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Mary Louisa Duncan Putnam

Birth
Greencastle, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death
20 Feb 1903 (aged 70)
Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, USA
Burial
Davenport, Scott County, Iowa, USA Add to Map
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section 1 plot 95
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Scientific publisher and historian. She became the first female member of the Davenport Academy of Sciences in 1868. She later became president of the academy. To make known the findings of the Academy's scientists and its growing collection of artifacts, she organized the Ladies Centennial Committee that raised money and published the first Proceedings of the Academy. These proceedings achieved worldwide circulation, and the accomplishment was called a "unique enterprise for men." Through her efforts, the first Academy of Science building was constructed. She also established natural history programs for children and adults at the Academy. Having borne eleven children, eight of whom survived to maturity, she was highly committed to public education. In 1902, she was made a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the highest honor that organization bestowed on anyone at the time. When she died in 1903, she left a trust for the continued publication and distribution of the Proceedings. Today, the Davenport Academy of Sciences serves the Quad-Cities community and the state of Iowa as the Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science. In 1991, she was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.
Scientific publisher and historian. She became the first female member of the Davenport Academy of Sciences in 1868. She later became president of the academy. To make known the findings of the Academy's scientists and its growing collection of artifacts, she organized the Ladies Centennial Committee that raised money and published the first Proceedings of the Academy. These proceedings achieved worldwide circulation, and the accomplishment was called a "unique enterprise for men." Through her efforts, the first Academy of Science building was constructed. She also established natural history programs for children and adults at the Academy. Having borne eleven children, eight of whom survived to maturity, she was highly committed to public education. In 1902, she was made a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the highest honor that organization bestowed on anyone at the time. When she died in 1903, she left a trust for the continued publication and distribution of the Proceedings. Today, the Davenport Academy of Sciences serves the Quad-Cities community and the state of Iowa as the Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science. In 1991, she was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame.

Bio by: Dustin Oliver

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