Hoffleit, E. Dorrit (1907–)

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Hoffleit, E. Dorrit (1907–)

American astronomer. Name variations: Dorrit Hoffleit; Ellen Dorrit Hoffleit. Born Ellen Dorrit Hoffleit, Mar12, 1907, in Florence, Alabama; dau. of Fred Hoffleit and Kate (Sanio)Hoffleit; Radcliffe College, AB, 1928, MA, 1932, PhD, 1938; never married; no children.

Best known for The Bright Star Catalogue, often defined as "the bible of virtually every stellar astronomer," which documents and maps some 9,110 stars visible to the naked eye; worked as a mathematician, Ballistic Research Lab, Aberdeen Proving Ground(1943–48), then consultant (1948–62); was a lecturer, Wellesley College (1955–56); worked as researcher, Harvard College Observatory(1929–56); was a research associate, Yale University Observatory (1956 on); served as director of the Maria Mitchell Observatory, Nantucket, Massachusetts (1957 on); with a career that spanned over 70 years, was one of the most intriguing women in astronomy as well as one of the most visible.

See also Women in World History.

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