Women in sociology have shaped and changed the development of their field. This volume documents the major outlines of their work and impact from 1840 to 1990. In spite of the amount of expertise and influence of these women, their connections to sociology and the sociological labour have been relatively neglected. This reference book on female sociologists aims to answer a number of questions about them: who were, or are, the female founders in sociology?; where were they born and when?; what were their most important writings?; what were their major accomplishments?; how have they been honoured?; and what are their connections to the discipline of sociology? These "founding sisters" worked in all areas, such as ageing, conflict resolution, criminology, demography, marriage and the family, race relations, research methods, social psychology, theory and women. They transcended narrow definitions of sociological thought and practice. Thus, scholars in disciplines other than sociology, including American studies, criminology, economics, history, literature, political science, law, psychology, social psychology, social work, women's studies and urban studies may benefit from this volume.