Maria Bakunin

Marija Mikhailovna Bakunina (also known as Marussia Bakunin) (2 February 1873, in Krasnoyarsk, Russia – 17 April 1960, in Naples), was a Russian-Italian chemist and biologist.

Maria Bakunin
Born
Marija Mikhailovna Bakunina

(1873-02-02)2 February 1873
Krasnoyarsk, Russia
Died17 April 1960(1960-04-17) (aged 87)
Naples, Italy
NationalityRussian-Italian
Alma materUniversity of Naples Federico II
Scientific career
FieldsStereochemistry
Applied chemistry
Earth sciences
InstitutionsScuola Superiore Politecnica
Accademia Pontaniana
WebsiteOfficial website

Education

Maria, even as a young student, became "preparer" at the Federico II University chemical laboratory in Naples, where in 1895 she graduated in chemistry with a degree thesis on stereochemistry.

Career

Following her graduation, Bakunina received the Academy prize for physics and mathematics in Naples in 1900.[1] In 1909 she went to work teaching applied chemistry at the Scuola Superiore Politecnica in Naples, where in 1912 she became Chair in Applied Technological Chemistry.[1]

Earth sciences

In 1906 Bakunina was part of a group studying the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, and in 1909 she compiled a geological map of Italy.[1] As part of the map project, she studied the oil shale and ichthyolithic deposits of mountains in the Salerno area of Italy. Following this, from 1911 until 1930, Bakunin worked as a consultant for local governments and companies interested in industrial development of ichthyol mines in the Giffoni district[1] (Monti Picentini).

Later career

After the Second World War, Bakunina worked with Benedetto Croce to rebuild the Accademia Pontaniana, and in 1944 she was elected its president.[1] In her capacity as president, Bakunina restored the Academy's library.[1]

Family

Maria Bakunina was the daughter of the well-known revolutionary philosopher Mikhail Bakunin and the aunt of the famous Neapolitan mathematician Renato Caccioppoli. The story is told that in 1938 Renato was imprisoned after he delivered a speech against Fascism but his aunt, Maria, was able to obtain his release by persuading the inquisitors of Renato's capability.

Notes
  1. Ciardi, Marco; Focaccia, Miriam (2011). Apotheker, Jan; Sarkadi, Livia Simon (eds.). Maria Bakunin (1873-1960). European Women in Chemistry. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9783527636471. Retrieved 5 Dec 2011.

References
  • Nicolaus, Rodolfo Alessandro (2004). "Ricordo di Maria Bakunin". Atti dell'Accademia Pontaniana LII. Napoli. pp. 27–32.
  • Mongillo, Pasqualina (2008). Marussia Bakunin, una donna nella storia della chimica. Rubbettino.
  • English translation abstract by Manuela Baglivo
  • Ciardi, Marco; Focaccia, Miriam (2011). Apotheker, Jan; Sarkadi, Livia Simon (eds.). Maria Bakunin (1873-1960). European Women in Chemistry. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9783527636471. Retrieved 5 Dec 2011.
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