Dorothy Stimson
American historian of science
About Dorothy Stimson
Lived 1890 – 1988 (aged 97). Dorothy Stimson was an American historian of science.
Dorothy Stimson (October 10, 1890 – September 19, 1988) was an American academic. She served as the dean of Goucher College from 1921 to 1947, and Acting President Jan - May 1930, and was a professor of history at the college until 1955.
Stimson served as the president of the History of Science Society between 1953 and 1957. Her research included the reception of the Copernican theory. She also edited a collection of papers by George Sarton, considered to be the founder of the discipline of the history of science.
Early life and education Stimson was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 10, 1890, to Henry Albert Stimson and Alice Wheaton. She was the granddaughter of a former president of Dartmouth College, and a cousin of former United States Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson. Stimson graduated from Vassar College in 1912 with a bachelor's degree. She later studied at Columbia University, from which she earned a master's degree in 1913 and doctorate in 1917. Her dissertation was titled The Gradual Acceptance of the Copernican Theory of the Universe. It was at the suggestion of James Harvey Robinson that Stimson pursued this subject.
Career Stimson was the dean of women at Goucher College from 1921 until 1947. She also served as a long-time professor of history at Goucher.
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Important facts
People in Dorothy Stimson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Dorothy Stimson?
American historian of science (1890-1988)
When was Dorothy Stimson born?
Dorothy Stimson was born on 10 October 1890 in St. Louis.
When did Dorothy Stimson die?
Dorothy Stimson died on 19 September 1988 in Owls Head.
What was Dorothy Stimson's occupation?
Dorothy Stimson was a historian of science.
What nationality was Dorothy Stimson?
Dorothy Stimson was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Dorothy Stimson. https://biography.guide/dorothy-stimson/
MLA: "Dorothy Stimson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/dorothy-stimson/.
Chicago: "Dorothy Stimson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/dorothy-stimson/.
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