Annie Jump Cannon was born in 1863. Her father was a shipbuilder turned state senator. Her mother was a stargazer and instilled the same love in her daughter. Annie grew up in Dover, Delaware.

When Annie Jump Cannon went to Wellesley College in Massachusetts, she studied astronomy and physics. She graduated in 1884 and after graduation, she went back to Delaware.

At some point, Annie developed scarlet fever and the complications associated with the fever left her deaf. Her mom died soon after that and Annie moved back to Wellesley where she began teaching physics. She also became what was referred to as a "special student" at Radcliff.

In 1894, she joined a group of researchers referred to as "Pickering’s Women". She was hired by Edward Pickering to record data and detailed astronomical information.

Annie Jump Cannon was very instrumental in developing what became known as a stellar classification system which enabled scientists to classify the stars. Through her hard work as an astronomer, she would earn a Harvard appointment as a William C. Bond astronomer.

The Cannon Crater on the moon was affectionately named after Annie Jump Cannon. She died in 1941 not long after her Harvard appointment.

Annie Jump Cannon earned the recognition she deserved through various awards. She earned the Draper Medal and shared it with her male partner. However, only one other female has won the Draper Medal.