Karen Callisen

Karen Herdis Callisen (1882–1970) was the first woman in Denmark to become a geologist when in 1915 she graduated in mineralogy and crystallography. She was employed for the remainder of her career by the Univerity of Copenhagen's Mineralogical Museum, holding the post of curator (museum inspektor) from 1932 until she retired in 1952. She made significant contributions to the geology of Bornholm, specializing in the island's granite. She also devoted particular attention to the composition of meteorites. In addition to her interest in geology, Callisen taught gymnastics from 1921 to 1947 at Ingrid Jespersen's High School in central Copenhagen. She published her geological findings in numerous books and articles.