Margaretta Hare Morris and Elizabeth Carrington Morris were two sisters from Philadelphia who sped the growth of American science in the 19th century, though its likely you’ve never heard of them.

In the recently published book Mischievous Creatures: The Forgotten Sisters Who Transformed Early American Science, environmental historian Catherine McNeur finally tells the history of the Morris sisters – their lives, work and how they should be remembered.

During this event, join McNeur to learn more about the Morris sisters and explore the many ways they were erased and how their erasure speaks to issues of power in fields of science and history. You will also learn how McNeur stumbled upon the Morris sisters, including the illustrations, correspondence and photographs of Margaretta and Elizabeth that she found in the Littell Family Papers within UD’s Special Collections.

McNeur is an associate professor at Portland State University and an award-winning author. Following the talk, she will be signing books. The UD Barnes and Noble Bookstore will be selling books before and after the event.

This event is co-sponsored by UD’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Women and Gender Studies, the Delaware Environmental Institute (DENIN), the Department of History, and the Department of English.

Refreshments will be provided.

This in-person event is free and open to the public. It will not be recorded.

Registration is required as seating is limited.

The American Philosophical Society was the first venue where Margaretta Morris published her research on wheat flies in December 1840. I’ll be speaking about the Morris sisters and the research behind Mischievous Creatures at this free event. It will be broadcast virtually as well at 6pm Eastern, 3pm Pacific. Registration required.

I’ll be joining Karl Jacoby, author of many amazing books, most recently The Strange Career of William Ellis, to talk about Mischievous Creatures at Book Culture.

Registration requested.