, a lady of great genius and learning, was born in Silesia about the beginning
of the seventeenth century, and became celebrated for her
extensive knowledge in many branches of learning, particularly in mathematics and astronomy, upon which she
wrote several ingenious treatises; one of which, under the
title of “Urania Propitia,
” printed in 1650, in Latin and
German, she dedicated to Ferdinand III. emperor of Germany. In this work are contained astronomical tables, of
great ease and accuracy, founded upon Kepler’s hypothesis. She learned languages with amazing facility; and
understood Polish, German, French, Italian, Latin, Greek,
and Hebrew. With equal ease she acquired a knowledge
of the sciences: history, physic, poetry, painting, music
both vocal and instrumental, were familiar to her; and yet
these were no more than her amusement. Her favourite
study was the mathematics, and especially astronomy, to
which she principally applied, and was not without reason
ranked among the most able astronomers of her time. She
married Elias de Levvin, M. D. also an astronomer; and
they carried on their favourite studies for some time with
equal reputation and success, until the war penetrated into
Silesia, and obliged them to quit their residence at
Schweinitz, for Poland, which was then at peace. Upon
their journey, although furnished with the best passports,
they were robbed by the soldiers; but, on their arrival in
Poland, were welcomed with every kind attention. Here
she composed her astronomical tables above noticed, first
printed at Oels, and four years after at Franeker or Francfort. Moreri fixes her death at 1664, but others think she
was living in 1669, and then a widow.