Beatrice Cooper
In a realm predominantly occupied by men, Beatrice Cooper stands among the select few women responsible for pioneering scientific advancements. Her exceptional contributions to physics and chemistry during the early 20th century prompted Tesla to remark that she was one of the rare individuals with whom he could engage in intellectual discourse on an equal footing. Joining Katadesis in 1910, she followed her passion for what would eventually be recognised as quantum physics.

Figures like Niels Bohr, Max Planck, and Albert Einstein are celebrated as the founding fathers of Quantum Theory. They have been awarded Nobel Prizes for their work, whilst Beatrice Cooper’s name remains obscure. However, her pioneering research from 1910 to 1916 helped lay the foundation for their later discoveries.

After losing her brother in the First World War, she withdrew from the scientific world, stating that, having witnessed the destructive applications of science, she could no longer, in good conscience, be a part of it.