Behind every great man...: family collaborators in scientific work

Session moderated by Patrick Boucheron.
Each 30 minutepresentationis followed by 10 minutes of discussion.

Abstract

There is a population of women who have worked extensively in the world of science, but who have been ignored by the history and sociology of science : wives who have contributed to their husbands' research, sometimes in a limited way, sometimes for a lifetime, as assistants. Tasks accomplished, intellectual quality of the individuals involved, and their lack of involvement in publication are the elements of this survey, which, covering the ^20th century, ultimately leads us to ask the question : what would have happened to the advancement of science if this workforce had sat back and done nothing ?