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Leah Allen

American astronomer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leah Allen
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Leah Brown Allen (November 6, 1884 February 1973) was an American astronomer and Professor of Astronomy at Hood College.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...
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Education and career

She attended Hope High School, graduating in 1903. She then studied at Pembroke College in Brown University, 1904–1906, where she did special work in astronomy under Professor Winslow Upton, director of Ladd Observatory.[3] Allen joined Lick Observatory as Carnegie Assistant in 1908 after a recommendation by Upton.[3] She received her M.A. from Wellesley College in 1912.[4] Her thesis was a spectroscopic study of the star Eta Centauri. Allen participated in Lick Observatory's Crocker expedition to view the total Solar eclipse of June 8, 1918 at Goldendale, Washington.[5] She was an assistant professor of astronomy at Wellesly, along with Lois Tripp Slocum, in the early 1920s.[6] She was affiliated with the Whitin Observatory at Wellesley.[7] Allen began teaching astronomy at Hood in 1928.[8] She was director of the John H. Williams Observatory at Hood.[9] She gave lectures at amateur astronomy groups.[10] She retired from teaching in 1955.[11]

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Personal life

Allen was the daughter of Samuel F. Allen, who had been described as a "veteran balloonist."[12] Her mother was Abby L. Allen.[1]

She enjoyed sailing from the time that she was in college. Her sister considered her an expert at handling her sailboat in inclement weather.[3]

She became active in the women's suffrage movement after reading a speech by her sister, called “Why Women Should Be Given the Vote.” She was an advocate of voting rights and played a role in earning women the right to vote in Rhode Island.[13]

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Awards and honors

The following prizes are named in her honor:

Allen was a member of the following societies:

Correspondents

Publications

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References

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