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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 March 2010
No analysis is so difficult as that of one's own mind
–Mary Somerville, Personal RecollectionsThe last page of the second draft of Mary Somerville's autobiography, written near the end of her long life, contains only a few lines. These lines are recorded in an elderly hand that deteriorates rapidly as it moves down the page and seems to contradict the words themselves.
I have every reason to be thankful that my intellect is still unimpaired, and, although my strength is weakness, my daughters support my tottering steps, and, by incessant care and help, make the infirmities of age so light to me that I am perfectly happy, and as a memorial of my gratitude and love, I dedicate this my last work to them.
Mary SomervilleThe page is very wrinkled and appears to have been crumpled and then smoothed out again. The words printed here in italics are omitted from the published version. The circumstances that led to the crumpling of the page and the omission of the final words remain, like many other things about Mary Somerville, somewhat of a mystery.
Personal Recollections holds particular interest because it sheds light on her published works and also offers answers to questions left largely unanswered by other sources. What kind of a person was Mary Somerville? What kind of life did she lead? What were her regrets and fears? How did she view her own career and abilities? What were her views on women in science and society?
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