ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT

A readable portrait of a great 19th-century pioneer: a chemist who studied at Vassar in its earliest years, was the first woman at MIT (they waived her fees: if she failed, they could disclaim her; she was awarded a degree in 1873, but later denied a doctorate she had earned), and went on to seminal work in water pollution, nutrition, and detecting adulteration of food—all fulfilling her lifelong aim of using science to make people healthier. She also set up Boston's first school lunch program and administered correspondence courses for women, championing her radical view that women would benefit from understanding the science underlying their household tasks. Focusing on Richards's many achievements, Vare also includes revealing details of her personal life (education; deferring marriage until she was sure of her husband's support in her career; being dubbed ``Ellencyclopedia'' by sister-in-law Laura Richards, of ``Eletelephony'' fame). The many quotes (not sourced) are from Richards and her intimates. A fine introduction to an inspiring woman. Bibliography. (Biography. 8-12)