Wilhelmina Iwanowska

Wilhelmina Iwanowska (2 September 1905 – 16 May 1999) was a Polish astronomer and the first astrophysics professor in Poland. She was pioneer of astrophysics in Poland. to a modest family of noble descent. She began working at the university in 1927, studying under Juliusz Rudnicki. She earned her master's degree in analytic functions in 1929.

Iwanowska's astronomical career during her studies at the university. In 1926, Iwanowska was approached by Władysław Dziewulski, a professor at the university. Dziewulski offered Iwanowska a job at the Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University. By 1927, her profession as an astronomer had begun, a time period which included the rise of astrophysics in Polish science and its early accomplishments. In 1946, she became the first astrophysics professor in Poland. In 1933, Iwanowska defended her doctoral thesis on two-color photographic observations. Iwanowska was an honorary doctorate at three universities, one in Winnipeg, another in Leicester, and the last in Toruń. In 1973, she became an honorary citizen of Winnipeg. The Pope awarded her the "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" medal. Asteroid 198820 is named in Iwanowska's memory.

Death Wilhelmina Iwanowska died on 16 May 1999, aged 93. She was buried in Toruń beside her mother, sister, and niece.