The article “In the teeth of public opinion: Russian women-scientists in the late XVIII — early XIX c.” is dedicated to the history of Russian women-scientists of the period. Historical background was investigated as well as transformations in public opinion on the matter which took place at the turn of the century. Besides, the author considers different types of such activities.
Support for women interested in science and literature granted by Catherine II was re-placed by animosity for everyone daring enough to step out of familial bounds and duties after her grandson Alexander I ascended to the throne. Newly born in 1811—1815 concept of a “learned woman” very soon acquired negative connotation.
Still despite the image of an ideal woman constructed by publicists and writers real-life Russian women of aristocratic origin continued their scientific studies in different areas of knowledge. Among them were naturalists who collected significant natural science collections thanks to the example of princess Dashkova who donated her own collections to the Moscow University. Also there were hostesses of the high-society parlors who invited mathematicians and engineers with the goal to discuss issues of math and philosophy like princess Golitsina. Others hesitated to demonstrate their activities openly and stayed in the background. Sadly this last type of behavior was the main reason that those women had fallen into oblivion not only among their immediate descendants but in the modern literature on the history of science.
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