The Woman Who Made History in a Cathedral Full of Witnesses

The Woman Who Made History in a Cathedral Full of Witnesses

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Episode description

The Woman Who Made History in a Cathedral Full of Witnesses

On 25 June 1678, Elena Cornaro Piscopia became the first woman in recorded history to be awarded a doctorate of philosophy. The ceremony took place in the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin in Padua because so many people arrived to witness it that the university’s halls could not contain them. Born into a Venetian noble family in 1646, Elena was fluent in seven languages, a published theologian, accomplished musician, and Benedictine oblate. When her father proposed her for a doctorate in theology, the Bishop of Padua objected, so she was examined in philosophy instead. She answered her examiners in Latin and was awarded the degree with distinction. She died four years later at age thirty-eight, and the University of Padua did not award another doctorate to a woman for three decades. Also on this date: the 1982 Disgrace of Gijón, when West Germany and Austria played a World Cup match so obviously fixed that FIFA changed its rules permanently; the first known photojournalistic image, taken during the violent June Days Uprising in Paris in 1848; and the 1900 discovery of the Dunhuang manuscripts, tens of thousands of ancient texts sealed in a cave for nine hundred years.

Chapters

  • Intro Clara poses a question about expectations when you are the most educated woman in Europe and introduces the story of Elena Cornaro Piscopia, who on 25 June 1678 became the first woman awarded a doctorate of philosophy.
  • Elena Cornaro Piscopia and the First Doctorate Born in Venice in 1646, Elena was fluent in seven languages, an accomplished musician, and a Benedictine oblate. When proposed for a doctorate in theology, the Bishop of Padua objected. She was examined in philosophy instead at the University of Padua. So many people came to witness the ceremony it had to be moved to a cathedral. She was awarded her doctorate with distinction, in Latin, and died four years later at age thirty-eight.
  • CTA Clara asks listeners to follow the show and share it with others who enjoy odd history.
  • The Disgrace of Gijón On 25 June 1982, West Germany and Austria played a World Cup match in which, after West Germany scored in the tenth minute, both teams appeared content with a one-nil result that would see both advance at Algeria’s expense. The crowd booed and whistled. The match became known as the Disgrace of Gijón and led FIFA to change its rules so final group matches must be played simultaneously.
  • The First Photograph of History in the Making On 25 June 1848, during the violent June Days Uprising in Paris, a photograph was taken of the barricades. It is believed to be the first known example of photojournalism, capturing a news event as it unfolded. Photography had only existed as a practical technology for about a decade.
  • The Dunhuang Manuscripts On 25 June 1900, a Taoist monk named Wang Yuanlu discovered a hidden chamber in the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang, China, containing tens of thousands of manuscripts dating back as far as the fourth century. The texts had been sealed in the cave for approximately nine hundred years. The discovery remains one of the most significant archaeological finds of the twentieth century.
  • Outro Clara reflects on the day’s three stories: a woman proving what was possible, a football match that changed the rules, and a monk who found a lost library. She closes with a reminder that history keeps its surprises well hidden.

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