Background
She was an Italian chemist and biologist, the daughter of the well-known revolutionary philosopher Mikhail Bakunin.
She was an Italian chemist and biologist, the daughter of the well-known revolutionary philosopher Mikhail Bakunin.
Maria, even as a young student, became “preparer” at the Federico II University chemical laboratory in Naples, where in 1895 she graduated in chemistry with a degree thesis on stereochemistry.
In 1909 she went to work teaching applied chemistry at the Scuola Superiore Politecnica in Naples, where in 1912 she become Chair in Applied Technological Chemistry. Work in Earth Sciences
In 1906 Bakunin was part of a group studying the eruption of Mountain. Vesuvius, and in 1909 she compiled a geological map of Italy.
As part of the map project, she studied the oil shale and ichthyolithic deposits of mountains in the Salerno area of Italy.
Following this, from 1911 until 1930, Bakunin worked as a consultant for local governments and companies interested in industrial development of ichthyol mines in the Giffoni district (Monti Picentini). Later career
After the Second World War, Bakunin worked with Benedetto Croce to rebuild the Accademia Pontaniana, and in 1944 she was elected its president
In her capacity as president, Bakunin restored the Academy"s library. Bakunin was the aunt of the famous Neapolitan mathematician Renato Caccioppoli.
The story tells that in 1938 Renato was imprisoned after he delivered a speech against Fascism but his aunt, Maria, was able to obtain his release by persuading the inquisitors on Renato capability of intents.
Lincean Academy.