Who was Christine Essenberg? A remarkable zoologist almost lost to history
Oct 5, 2023
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Christine Essenberg, an unusual zoologist, with a remarkable career trajectory and a serendipitous find. Her journey from researcher to teacher. Uncovering lost women in science and the challenges faced by archivists. Exploring the story of Christine Essenberg and the efforts of researchers to delve into her work. The remarkable accomplishments of Christine Essenberg and her impact on inspiring girls in science.
The accidental discovery of Christine Essenberg's letters raises awareness about the hidden stories of lost women scientists in archives.
Essenberg's letters shed light on the challenges faced by women scientists in a male-dominated field, emphasizing the importance of gender equality in STEM.
Deep dives
The Discovery of Christine Essenberg's Letters
While researching the papers of a renowned scientist at UC San Diego, the host accidentally stumbles upon Folder 29, containing eight pages of letters written by Christine Essenberg. The letters reveal Essenberg's concerns about her dying sister, her desire to publish her research, and her decision to leave for Constantinople. The discovery sparks curiosity about how many similar folders are hidden away in archives, offering glimpses into the lives of lost women scientists.
Christine Essenberg's Journey in Science
Christine Essenberg earned her PhD in zoology and worked at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 1917. Despite her passion for research, Essenberg finds herself dealing with mundane tasks and worries about her career prospects. In her letters to Dr. Ritter, her boss, she reflects on becoming a school teacher for better pay and expresses her desire to do experimental work alongside her research. These letters highlight the challenges faced by women scientists in a male-dominated field.
From Constantinople to Damascus: Christine Essenberg's Adventures
After obtaining approval for a one-year leave of absence, Essenberg travels to Constantinople and starts teaching at a women's college. Eventually, she heads to Damascus, where she establishes the American School for Girls. Despite the chaos of war, Essenberg continues her research and displays a commitment to education and liberation. The trail grows cold towards the end of her life, but Essenberg's accomplishments as a female scientist and educator leave a lasting legacy.
Christine Essenberg had an unusual life and an unusual career trajectory. She was married, then divorced, and earned her PhD in zoology from University of California, Berkeley at age 41. She went on to become one of the early researchers at what is now The Scripps Institution of Oceanography. We know the story of Christine Essenberg only because of a serendipitous find. Host Katie Hafner, searching in an archive jammed with the papers of male scientists, came across a slim folder, "Folder 29", in the back of a box at UC San Diego Special Collections & Archives. Just eight pages as a jumping-off point to flesh out a life, which raises the question: How many other unknown women scientists are out there, hidden away in boxes? This is the story of Christine Essenberg's own journey from researcher to teacher. It’s the first discovery of what we’re calling The Folder 29 Project, a research initiative to uncover the work of lost women of science, hidden in the archives of universities across the country.
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