Dr Elena Piscopia, Take Your Stand

Are some historical figures less famous because they have not been celebrated (enough)? Or are they less famous because they didn't quite have what was required to be celebrated? Take the case of Elena Cornaro Piscopia. No harm if you've never heard of her. But for most people of the Italian city of Padua, not to know her is odd. Being the first woman in the world to earn a PhD is a big deal. The fact that Piscopia received the honour for her disposition on Aristotelian philosophy from the University of Padua in 1678 should make Paduans proud. And, yet, there's a kerfuffle over the good doctor's statue joining 78 others depicting notable figures from Padua on a prominent square - all of them being men.

Originally, the Prato della Valle had 88 statues - all men - set up between 1775 and 1883. Ten statues depicting the doges (chief magistrates) of Venice were destroyed by Napoleon's army in 1797, replaced by obelisks or left empty. The proposal is to erect Dr Piscopia's statue on one of them. There is already a statue of her at the university. But to place her in the context of other celebrated Paduans is important. Celebrating greatness through categories like 'Best Actress' or 'Best Indian novel' is one thing. Doing it as 'Best Actor' or 'Best novel' is quite another. Paduans, put Piscopia among the greats, not in 'splendid' isolation.