Jane Marcet

Science and Economics Writer

In the eighteenth century it was unusual for a woman to be supported by her husband to undertake a profession, and less so in Chemical Sciences. Janet Marcet was a lucky exception. Born in London in 1769, she married the Swiss doctor Alexander Marcet and soon after became a student of Sir Humphry Davy. She did her own experiments in chemistry and published a book entitled “Conversations on Chemistry”, without disclosing it was written by a woman.

She was also interested in Economy and published “Conversations on Political Economy” in 1816. Her book talks about the basic concepts of Economics in the form of a dialogue between two women.

These publications, and other children’s books on different topics, paved the way for the participation of other women in scientific, economic and social forums.