Born in 1870 in Ancona, Italy, the child of a progressive and ambitious family, she chose to study engineering and mathematics at a time when higher education for girls was considered unnecessary. Even more remarkably, she went on to qualify as the first woman doctor in her country's history.
Her early work with handicapped children showed her that with a special kind of help and encouragement, they were capable of learning much more than had been considered possible. This inspired Dr. Montessori to continue her work on a broader basis.
In 1907 she open her first school, and was so encouraged by her results that she began to share her discoveries with others by publishing books and giving lectures, thus the Montessori method of education was born.
Maria Montessori died in 1952 but her innovative system is today carried on in schools all around the world.