[Amedeo]

Maria Dalle Donne (1778-1842): Dalle Donne was born to a peasant family in a small village on the outskirts of Bologna. Her talents were recognized early, and she was encouraged to study medicine. In 1799, she presented her dissertation and took the examination that made her the first female doctorate in medicine. She passed the examination with highest honors (maxima cum laude). In 1800, Dalle Donne published three important scientific papers. The first paper, on anatomy and physiology, was a review and commentary on work previously done on female reproduction and fertility, fetal malformations, and blood circulation in the uterus. The second paper suggested for the first time that diseases be classified on the basis of symptoms. The third paper focused on midwifery and the care of newborns. In 1829, Dalle Donne became only the second woman, after Laura Bassi, to become a member of the prestigious Ordine de Benedettini Academici Pensionati, in which she was awarded the title of "Academic". In 1832, Dalle Donne became Director of the Department of Midwifery at the University of Bologna.