Florence Bascom: Geologist and Inspiring Educator

Florence Bascom made several findings about geology while teaching and pushing despite setbacks she had to face as a female.

Florence Bascom shows off a tool of her trade: a Brunton compass. During her work with the U.S. Geological Survey, she placed benchmarks like the one pictured below, which denoted a site’s exact elevation. FLORENCE BASCOM PAPERS, SMITH COLLEGE.

Written by Sara Pereira

Geologists travel the world to study landforms and today, this field can even include studying energy sources and climate change. Through her field work for the United States Geological Survey and teaching at Bryn Mawr, Florence Bascom made strides in geology while motivating a new generation of women.

Florence Bascom was born in 1862 and was the youngest sibling out of five. She grew up in Wisconsin and was raised by her dad, who was a philosophy professor, and her mom, who was a suffrage activist. Both of Bascom’s parents encouraged her education in science. 

Florence Bascom (the only one not styling out the pointy hat look, second from front) on a field trip — possibly to the Grand Canyon — with students in 1906. Sophia Smith Collection (Smith College).

Eventually, Florence Bascom was accepted into John Hopkins University, despite the fact that the president of the University at the time was against co-education of women. Although she was forced to sit behind a screen in the back during classes to not “distract” male students, Bascom loved learning more about geology, as she also got to start working in the field out in places like Maryland and Pennsylvania, among other benefits. In 1893, Bascom became the first woman to earn a PhD at John Hopkins University. Her Doctoral thesis was about the Appalachian Mountains and how a layer of rock was lava flow rather than sedimentary, the first being what people originally believed. 

Bascom went on to teach at Bryn Mawr college, which was an all-girls college when she started teaching in 1895. The Geology program at Bryn Mawr was founded by her and her curriculum gained popularity across the U.S. There, she was able to do field work for the US Geological Survey and work in geomorphology, the study of how Earth’s geography evolves over long periods of time. She also made geographical maps that are still used in parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  

Florence was the first professional female geologist to survey Mount Desert Island. USGS.

After retiring from teaching, Bascom proceeded to accomplish even more. For example, she became the first woman officer of the Geologic Society of America and an associate editor of The American Geologist. She officially retired in 1936 when she was 74. Bascom was an innovator in geology and an inspiration to female geologists, whether she taught them herself or not. Scientists continue to benefit from her studies today and her legacy is perceived through women who want to excel in any form of science. Unfortunately, Florence Bascom passed on June 18, 1945.

Sources

“Florence Bascom, Trailblazer of the U.S. Geological Survey: U.S. Geological Survey.” Florence Bascom, Trailblazer of the U.S. Geological Survey | U.S. Geological Survey, www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/florence-bascom-trailblazer-us-geological-survey. Accessed 04 Dec. 2023.

“The Stone Lady, Florence Bascom (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/people/the-stone-lady-florence-bascom.htm. Accessed 04 Dec. 2023.