Science · 1868–1921

Henrietta Swan Leavitt

Astronomer who discovered how to measure distances in space

Did you know?She worked as a computer at Harvard Observatory, earning very little while making some of the most significant discoveries in modern astronomy.

Henrietta Swan Leavitt (July 4, 1868 – December 12, 1921) was an American astronomer. Her discovery of how to effectively measure vast astronomical distances led to a shift in the understanding of the scale and nature of the universe.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Age at death
53
Years since death
104

Born on the same day6

July 4 →
Calvin Coolidge1872–1933

Calvin Coolidge

PoliticsDied aged 60
View profile

Photo: Harris & Ewing · Public domain

Giuseppe Garibaldi1807–1882

Giuseppe Garibaldi

MilitaryDied aged 74
View profile

Photo: In album: Cartes-de-visite portraits of U.S. Army officers, children, and others, p. 15, right. · Public domain

Nathaniel Hawthorne1804–1864

Nathaniel Hawthorne

LiteratureDied aged 59
View profile

Photo: Mathew Benjamin Brady · Public domain

Gina Lollobrigida1927–2023

Gina Lollobrigida

MediaWould be 99
View profile

Photo: United Artists · Public domain

Alfredo Di Stéfano1926–2014

Alfredo Di Stéfano

SportsWould be 100
View profile

Photo: Unknown author · Public domain

Edi Ramab. 1964

Edi Rama

PoliticsAge 62
View profile

Photo: Eriona Çami - European Commission · CC BY 4.0

Missing someone? Suggest them

Also Cancer4

All →

Birthday gift ideas

We may earn a small commission from purchases, at no extra cost to you.