Linguist, Writer, Academic
Self portrait, Anna Maria van Schurman (1607-1678), aged 33.
Text (translation): No pride or beauty prompted me to engrave my features in eternal copper; But if my unpractised graver was not yet capable of producing good work, I would not risk a more weighty task the first time. A.M. à Schurman engraving and drawing. 1633.
Collection Anna Maria van Schuurman in Museum Martena, Franeker, The Netherlands
Anna Maria was regarded throughout the 17th century as the most learned woman not only of the Netherlands but also of Europe. She was “the Star of Utrecht,” “the Tenth Muse,” “a miracle of her sex.” As the first woman to attend non-officially a university, she was also the first to advocate, boldly, that women should be admitted into universities. A brilliant linguist, she mastered at least fourteen languages and was the first Dutch woman to seek publication of her correspondence.
Source: https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195399301/obo-9780195399301-0399.xml