Women at the University of Vienna

Women were not explicitly excluded in the foundation charter or in the statutes of the university and faculties – presumably because the medieval university founders and officials believed that it was simply impossible for women to study. Nevertheless, women were present at the university from the early modern period: as wives, daughters or servants of university members, they were subject to academic jurisdiction. Widows of university craftsmen in particular became active themselves and took over their husband's business after his death. One example of this is Eva Maria Schilgin (1682–1759): She was married to the university book printers Christoph Lercher (d. 1713) and Johann Baptist Schilgen (1687–1743) and largely ran the print shop herself. Her grandson Johann Jahn was also a university printer.

Numerous women can also be found in the records of the Faculty of Medicine: This had supervision over all medical professions in Vienna. The practice of medicine and the trades was subject to licensing by the faculty. In addition to surgeons and pharmacists, the faculty also examined midwives, who were therefore also subject to the jurisdiction of the rector.