Sophia Brahe (1559-1643) was a Danish astronomer, chemist, horticulturalist, and genealogist. Sophia’s parents were nobles in the entourage of the... Read More
Sophia Brahe (1559-1643) was a Danish astronomer, chemist, horticulturalist, and genealogist. Sophia’s parents were nobles in the entourage of the king and queen of Denmark. Her older brother, Tycho Brahe, became her professional mentor. With Tycho, she developed horoscopes, common practice for 16th century astronomers, and measured and calculated astrological findings using Tycho’s observational instruments. She is credited with helping Tycho on the discovery of supernova SN 1572 and the lunar eclipse of 1573. Her work helped prove that the earth revolved around the sun.
Brahe married the much older, Otto Thott when she was twenty and the two had one son. Brahe managed her husband’s estate, Trolleholm Castle, when he passed and became recognized as a skilled horticulturalist. Brahe created medicinal recipes and offered her herbal medicine to locals. The last years of her life, she spent studying and documenting the genealogy of Danish noble families and her work is considered a significant source on Danish genealogy.
