This reference work investigates the historical contributions and professional challenges faced by women in scientific fields from antiquity through the mid-20th century. Editors Joy Harvey and Marilyn Bailey Ogilvie compile biographical entries to document the often-overlooked roles of women in the development of various scientific disciplines. The text provides a structured framework for understanding how gender influenced access to education, research opportunities, and professional recognition across different cultural and temporal contexts.

Scholars and historians frequently cite this dictionary as a foundational resource for gender studies in the history of science. Readers note the academic rigor of the entries and the breadth of the biographical coverage provided by the editors.