Although doctoral degrees appeared in the universities of West Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries, for a long time they were given only to men. Below is a list of the women who obtained doctoral degrees before 1800. The list includes only academic degrees, not Doctors of Divinity.
Constance Calenda () may have received a medical degree from the University of Naples. Juliana Morell "defended theses" in 1606 or 1607, although claims that she received a doctorate in canon law in 1608 have been discredited.; The putative 13th-century instance of Bettisia Gozzadini at the University of Bologna is discounted by Holt N. Parker.
Person Year University Degree Elena Cornaro Piscopia 1678 University of Padua Doctor of Philosophy Laura Bassi 1732 University of Bologna Doctor of Philosophy Cristina Roccati 1750 University of Bologna Doctor of Philosophy Dorothea Erxleben 1754 University of Halle Doctor of Medicine Maria Pellegrina Amoretti 1777 University of Pavia Doctor of Laws María Pascuala Caro Sureda 1779 University of Valencia Doctor of Philosophy María Isidra de Guzmán y de la Cerda 1785 Complutense University of Madrid Doctor of Philosophy Dorothea von Rodde-Schlözer 1787 University of Göttingen Doctor of Philosophy Maria Dalle Donne 1799 University of Bologna Doctor of Medicine
References
Literature (complete list for 18th century)