Maria Dalle Donne

Who was Maria Dalle Donne?

Maria Dalle Donne, was an Italian physician and a director at the University of Bologna. She was the first female doctorate in medicine, and the second woman to become a member of the Ordine dei Benedettini Accademici Pensionati.

Dalle Donne was born to a peasant family in a village outside Bologna. Her talents was early recognized and she was encouraged to study medicine at the University of Bologna. In 1799, she presented her dissertation and took the examination, which made her the first female doctorate in medicine. She passed the examination with highest honors.

In 1800, Dalle Donne published three scientific papers. The first paper, on anatomy and physiology, was a review and commentary on work previously done on female reproduction and fertility, fetal malformations, and blood circulation in the uterus. The second paper suggested for the first time that diseases of female fertility be classified on the basis of symptoms. The third paper focused on midwifery and the care of newborns.

In 1829, Dalle Donne became the second female, after Laura Bassi, to be inducted to the prestigious Ordine dei Benedettini Accademici Pensionati, in which she was given the title "Academic".