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Mischievous Creatures: The Forgotten Sisters Who Transformed Early American Science
The untold story of two sisters whose discoveries sped the growth of American science in the nineteenth century, combining "meticulous research and sensitive storytelling" (Janice P. Nimura, New York Times -bestselling author of The Doctors Blackwell )
In Mischievous Creatures , historian Catherine McNeur uncovers the lives and work of Margaretta Hare Morris and Elizabeth Carrington Morris, sisters and scientists in early America. Margaretta, an entomologist, was famous among her peers and the public for her research on seventeen-year cicadas and other troublesome insects. Elizabeth, a botanist, was a prolific illustrator and a trusted supplier of specimens to the country’s leading experts. Together, their discoveries helped fuel the growth and professionalization of science in antebellum America. But these very developments confined women in science to underpaid and underappreciated roles for generations to follow, erasing the Morris sisters’ contributions along the way.
Mischievous Creatures is an indelible portrait of two unsung pioneers, one that places women firmly at the center of the birth of American science.
In Mischievous Creatures , historian Catherine McNeur uncovers the lives and work of Margaretta Hare Morris and Elizabeth Carrington Morris, sisters and scientists in early America. Margaretta, an entomologist, was famous among her peers and the public for her research on seventeen-year cicadas and other troublesome insects. Elizabeth, a botanist, was a prolific illustrator and a trusted supplier of specimens to the country’s leading experts. Together, their discoveries helped fuel the growth and professionalization of science in antebellum America. But these very developments confined women in science to underpaid and underappreciated roles for generations to follow, erasing the Morris sisters’ contributions along the way.
Mischievous Creatures is an indelible portrait of two unsung pioneers, one that places women firmly at the center of the birth of American science.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 15, 2023
This book is an attempt to give early women scientists the credit that they are due in the historical records for their discoveries, and work to advance the sciences. It focuses upon the lives of two sisters, Margaretta Morris. an entomologist, and Elizabeth Morris, a botanist, who resided in Germantown, Pennsylvania, from the late 18th through the mid 19th century. Much of the book is speculative since few records exist concerning the sisters lives and their scientific work. Many of their writings were anonymous, or were destroyed. Therefore, information about their lives and work is extrapolated from extant correspondence and diaries, and what is known about the social and cultural lives of people who were part of, or resided in wealthy suburban social circles similar to those in which the Morris sisters participated.
Unfortunately some of the most interesting discussions of the sisters lives and their erasure from the historical record are contained in chapters that would have made an excellent series of extended essays. There are numerous occasions when the book veers off course as it discusses the lives of people who may have acted as tutors, or influenced the sisters in their work, or with whom they corresponded or who disagreed with them. The book speculates about the sisters’ views on women’s suffrage, changes in women’s clothing, and other subjects relating to the then nascent women’s rights movement based upon their friendships, travels and references to places and events in their writings, which could be interpreted in a variety of ways.
Parts of the book, although documented with copious notes linking to primary sources, reads more like historical fiction, than a biography or a history of women in science in early America. In reality, the author’s attempt to try to fill pages by veering from history to biography and back again with the occasional digression to what may appear to be historical fiction, bogs down what would otherwise be an interesting dual biography. It’s for these reasons that the book rates 3.5 stars.
The reviewer received an ARC in return for this review.
Unfortunately some of the most interesting discussions of the sisters lives and their erasure from the historical record are contained in chapters that would have made an excellent series of extended essays. There are numerous occasions when the book veers off course as it discusses the lives of people who may have acted as tutors, or influenced the sisters in their work, or with whom they corresponded or who disagreed with them. The book speculates about the sisters’ views on women’s suffrage, changes in women’s clothing, and other subjects relating to the then nascent women’s rights movement based upon their friendships, travels and references to places and events in their writings, which could be interpreted in a variety of ways.
Parts of the book, although documented with copious notes linking to primary sources, reads more like historical fiction, than a biography or a history of women in science in early America. In reality, the author’s attempt to try to fill pages by veering from history to biography and back again with the occasional digression to what may appear to be historical fiction, bogs down what would otherwise be an interesting dual biography. It’s for these reasons that the book rates 3.5 stars.
The reviewer received an ARC in return for this review.
October 17, 2023
Two amazing sisters whose story was almost lost. The history of the Morris sisters as they pursue their passion for nature through Botany & Entomology is well told by author McNeur. Recommend reading while out in nature to truly appreciate the beauty of the Morris sisters.
October 11, 2023
If you are interested in women who made great contributions in their fields (in this case, science) without the recognition they deserved, you will enjoy this book.
Maegaretta and Elizabeth Morris studied entymology and botany, largely on their own as they explored a park and. creek near their home. Elizabeth found, named, identified and shared cuttings from plants and her sister studied bugs that attacked agriculture. She tried to save the wheat crop, if her evidence was followed. But then, they were women.
Maegaretta and Elizabeth Morris studied entymology and botany, largely on their own as they explored a park and. creek near their home. Elizabeth found, named, identified and shared cuttings from plants and her sister studied bugs that attacked agriculture. She tried to save the wheat crop, if her evidence was followed. But then, they were women.
November 7, 2023
I won this on Good Reads.
A great read for anyone interested in how science worked in the 1800s. It’s the story of Margaretta Hare Morris and her sister Elizabeth Carrington Morris who did primary observation and studies in entomology and botany. Covering how they got their research into the hands of the top researchers of the day and how it was accepted and/or discarded by those men. This is also a story of how their lives were bound by the society they lived in and their triumphs and losses.
A great read for anyone interested in how science worked in the 1800s. It’s the story of Margaretta Hare Morris and her sister Elizabeth Carrington Morris who did primary observation and studies in entomology and botany. Covering how they got their research into the hands of the top researchers of the day and how it was accepted and/or discarded by those men. This is also a story of how their lives were bound by the society they lived in and their triumphs and losses.
November 23, 2023
Captivating history.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews