Florence Bascom

Pioneering geologist who became the first woman employed by the US Geological Survey

Florence Bascom (1862–1945) broke through geological glass ceilings as the first woman to earn a PhD from Johns Hopkins (1893) and later became the US Geological Survey's first female geologist. Her meticulous studies of the Appalachian Mountains revolutionized understanding of crystalline rock formations.

Despite facing institutional sexism, Bascom established Bryn Mawr College's geology department into a premier program, training a generation of female scientists. Her innovative use of microscopic petrography techniques, detailed in publications like The Structures, Origin, and Nomenclature of Acidic Volcanic Rocks, set new standards in geological analysis.

Bascom's field methods became foundational to modern geology. The USGS now recognizes her as a trailblazer who mapped critical mineral resources during America's industrial expansion. Her perseverance opened doors for women in earth sciences worldwide.