Ellen Swallow Richards

Biography

Ellen Swallow Richards brought a keen scientific mind to chemistry and home economics, becoming the first woman admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the first woman to earn a degree there. Her work embraced the scientific analysis of household life, public health, and the environment, helping communities recognize the importance of safe water, nutritious food, and informed living.

Richards carried her message beyond the laboratory, shaping curricula, promoting domestic science as a vital discipline, and founding organizations that nurtured better living standards for families across the nation. Her resting place at Christ Church Cemetery honors a legacy of curiosity, compassion, and tireless public service.