Description

This first book-length appraisal of the pioneering perspectives of Sarah Bowdich Lee (1791-1856) on natural history in the first half of the nineteenth century pivotally highlights the intercultural, interdisciplinary and multi-genre reach of her work. The fact that she undertook it independently and transnationally over three decadeschallenges approaches to women, gender and national nineteenth-century scientific endeavour that have defined women at work in the period by their secondary roles (to more famous men in science) that also delimit their contributions and discoveries(as domestic). By focusing on how Sarah undertook her science despite the many bars to women in its fields, this study also promotes one woman's blueprint for non-conformist independent work and, in consequence, an alternative paradigm for the 'leaky pipeline' model still informing women's careers in STEM(M) today.