Louisa Dennison Wells (June 1st, 1862 - 1938) worked as one of the Women Astronomical Computers at the Harvard College Observatory from 1887 until 1937.
While at the Observatory, Wells assisted in cataloging plates, and analyzing stellar spectra for classification on plates taken in Arequipa, Peru.1 She also assisted in the publication of the Henry Draper Catalogue, ascertaining positions and magnitudes of stars included, and possibly proofreading remarks.2 In 1896, Wells discovered the variable star SS Cygni.3 It was called “the Wells Variable” for a time.4 This star is one of the most notable and most commonly observed variable stars in the night sky, though Wells never published on the discovery.
Wells is present in some of the earliest photographs of the Women Astronomical Computers; Photographs taken in one of the workrooms in 1891. Also present in the photographs are Mrs. Fleming, Eveland Leland, Imogen Willis Eddy and Florence Cushman, among others.
Louisa D Wells was born June 1st, 1862 to John and Annie Wells (neé Wadsworth).5 She would be the oldest of six children.6 The family lived in several places during Wells’ childhood, including Los Angeles, California, Kennebunk, Maine, and Quincy, Massachusetts. Her father was a Clergyman.7 Louisa Wells worked at the Observatory her entire career, approximately 50 years. She passed away in 1938 and is buried in Quincy, Massachusetts.8
Written by Samantha Notick, May 2023
Wells utilized a variety of titles to describe her profession on city and federal records. On city directories in 1898, 1890, and 1892, and on the 1900 federal census, she used “Computer” at “Observatory”. On city directories in 1895, 1896, and 1914 through 1937, as well as the 1910 and 1920 federal censuses, she utilized “Assistant” and some variation of “Observatory”. On the 1930 Federal census she described herself as “Astronomer” at “Observatory”.
For questions on any particular Women Astronomical Computer’s titles please consult their bio page. If no terminology information is listed, feel free to email us!
Citations:
1-Marilyn Ogilvie, Joy Harvey, The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science : Pioneering Lives from Ancient Times to the Mid-20th Century (Routledge, 2003). 1363↩2-Dava Sobel, The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took Measure of the Stars (New York: Viking, 2016) 91. ↩
3-Kerri Malatesta “SS Cygni” AAVSO. AAVSO. Accessed May 2023. ↩
4-Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, Cecilia Payne Gaposchkin: An Autobiography and Other Recollections, ed. Katherine Haramundanis (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984), 141.↩
5-Massachusetts Vital Records, 1840–1911. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts. Accessed via Ancestrylibrary.org, May 2023. ↩
6-1880 United States Census, Characteristics of Population. U.S. Bureau of the Census. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. digital images. Ancestrylibrary.com. Accessed 2022.↩
7-Massachusetts. 1855–1865 Massachusetts State Census [microform]. New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts. Accessed via Ancestrylibrary.org, May 2023.↩
8-U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current. Find a Grave. Find a Grave®. Accessed via Ancestrylibrary.org, May 2023. ↩
