Ellen Swallow Richards Timeline
1842 — Ellen Swallow is born in Dunstable, Massachusetts, on December 3.
She lives on the Swallow Farm with parents and grandparents.
1859 — Ellen and her parents move to Westford, Massachusetts.
Ellen attends Westford Academy for two years.
1863 — The Swallow family moves to Littleton, Massachusetts.
1864 — Ellen begins her first teaching job.
1865 — Ellen moves away from home to teach in Worcester, Massachusetts.
1866 — Ellen returns home for two years of “Purgatory.” 1868 — Ellen enters Vassar College.
1870 — Ellen graduates from Vassar College.
MIT committee reviews Ellen’s application for admittance on December 3.
MIT’s President Runkle informs Ellen on December 14 that she may attend the Institute.
1871 — Ellen enters MIT in January.
Peter Swallow, Ellen’s father, dies in March.
1872 — Ellen begins work on water testing with Professor Nichols.
1873 — Ellen teaches science to women at Girls’ High School of Boston.
Ellen graduates from MIT.
Ellen receives a master’s degree from Vassar College.
Professor Robert Richards proposes marriage.
1875 — Ellen marries Robert Richards.
The Richards move into their home on Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain.
1876 — Woman’s Laboratory is opened in November.
Ellen teaches correspondence science courses throughout North America.
1878 — Ellen and her students conduct a study on adulteration of foods, which leads to the nation’s first Food and Drug Acts.
The American Association for the Advancement ...
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