Emily Arnesen

Emily Arnesen (14 June 1867 – 13 August 1928) was a Norwegian zoologist. She was the second Norwegian woman to receive a doctoral degree and is most known for her studies on sponges.

Early life Arnesen began attending the Royal Frederick University of her hometown Kristiania in 1891. She studied science, but was only able to stay for a year, until 1892, before leaving for Stockholm, where she became a governess for a minister's family. Arnesen would periodically return to being a governess for different families throughout the course of her studies in order to make an income. During her time in Stockholm, Arnesen began taking classes which sparked her interest in both zoology and botany. Upon returning to the university of Kristiania, Arnesen began teaching classes and private pupils, including the children of the Prime Minister, Otto Blehr. She spent her free time studying zoology under Johan Hjort. This continued for three years until she left the university and began working in laboratories.