Louisa Corrects the Record, and Shines a Light on Others

Throughout her life, Louisa Lee Schuyler gathered, supported, and uplifted other women. The more we learn about her life, the more we find evidence of this.

In 1915, Columbia University conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) upon Louisa. The New York Times and others reported that she was the first woman to receive this honor.

Louisa did the research, however, finding this to be incorrect. In a statement to the press and to Columbia University, she publicly shared the name and work of the first woman to receive the honor: Maria Mitchell, an astronomer from Vassar College. Louisa was in fact the second woman to receive an LL.D. from Columbia.

Louisa’s letter to the press (right) included the list she compiled of all the women who had previously received honorary degrees from Columbia – LL.D. and otherwise.

Louisa's Letter to the press and to Columbia University.

Louisa Lee Schuyler, honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.), Columbia University, 1915