The book is aimed at astronomers, amateur astronomers, historians of science, and promoters of women in science, but being written in non-technical language it is intended to be of interest also to educated readers generally.
Mrs Mary Brück is a retired senior lecturer in astronomy at the University ofEdinburgh, now an Honorary Fellow in the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. Her present interest is in the history of astronomy, especially the contributions of nineteenth century British and Irish women. She has done a considerable amount of original research on astronomers (mainly women), including biographical entries in the OxfordDNB (2004), the Dictionary ofNineteenthCentwy BrEt&z Scientists (Thommes, Bristol 2004), Larousse Dictionary ofScientists (Larousse, Edinburgh 1994), the Biographical Encyclopaedia ofAstronomers (Springer 2006), the Biographical Dictionary ofScott&i Women (Edinburgh University Press 2006), and the Royal Irish Academy Biographical Dictionary (forthcoming). She is also the author ofAgnes Mary Clerke and the Rise ofAsirophysics (Cambridge University Press 2002) and coauthor (with H.A.Bruck) of The Perpatetic Asfronomer, the Lfe ofCharles Piazzi Smyth (Huger: Bristol 1988).