Final answer:
The correct answer is option B. translation of the work of Auguste Comte into English.
Step-by-step explanation:
Harriet Martineau made significant contributions to the field of sociology, but her most important contribution was likely the translation of the work of Auguste Comte into English, which introduced sociology to English-speaking scholars. Before Martineau's translations, Comte's work, which outlined the scientific study of social patterns known as positivism, was accessible only to those who could understand French. By translating Comte's work, including 'The Course in Positive Philosophy' and 'A General View of Positivism', Martineau played a crucial role in expanding the reach of sociological studies.
Martineau also engaged in writing and analysis of various social practices and issues such as economics, social class, and women's rights. Her works 'Society in America' and 'Retrospect of Western Travel' helped develop a systematic methodological approach for international comparisons of social institutions, further paving the way for sociology as a scholarly discipline. Despite her broad scope of work, Martineau's translation of Comte's writings stands out as her most enduring legacy to sociology.