Mathematicians in general are not a well known group. However, women mathematicians are even less well known. It is possible to read most histories of mathematics and find little or no mention of women mathematicians, even of the few there were. This article is therefore intended to trace the impact some of these women have had on the development of mathematics.
However, firstly, why were there so few women mathematicians? It appears that the reason for this was that in almost any age women faced many barriers, which men of far less ability did not have to face. For women, talents alone were not sufficient criteria for success in mathematics. The woman also needed to have drive and determination, not only to ignore role stereotypes but also to overcome the restrictions placed on their education. It was not until these barriers were crossed that women were able to develop and enjoy their talents (Perl 1978 and Osen 1990).
The women that will be discussed in this article all came from either academic or wealthy upper-class families. Some of the women were from the French and English aristocracy and so had the benefits of outstanding mathematicians as teachers. This was important as education for girls was until very recently nonexistent or very much restricted, as there was great prejudice against women studying subjects such as mathematics or science. These areas were considered to be male fields. However, even when women did receive the equivalent of a secondary education, colleges were closed to them, as it was believed that women were made for childrearing and that "brain work" may conflict with this function (Perl 1978).
The other women discussed in this article are daughters of mathematicians. Therefore, as they grew up they not only had access to mathematical texts, which was a crucial factor because this was a time when public libraries did not exist, but their talents were also recognised, developed and encouraged by their fathers (Perl 1978).
However, "even with supportive parents and teachers, the traditional roles of wife, mother and homemaker made study at advanced levels difficult" (Perl 1978, p.197). Husbands could also cause problems if they were opposed to their wife studying, and even when sufficient education was obtained by women to move to the front of their professions, gaining professional employment was very difficult.
But despite all the obstacles women have had to face in the past, women have still made a considerably large contribution to the development of mathematics. Perl (1978, p.198) believes that a closer look at the history of mathematics may also show that far more women than we realise did make significant contributions. For example, we know that different historians notice, select and record different events and that for a long time it was considered improper for women to sign their own work. Therefore he believes that when more historical research is done in this new area surprises may emerge.
So who were those women who did succeed? The biographies that follow are a brief overview of a few of the women who have managed successfully to overcome the obstacles of the past. They include Agnesi, du Chatelet, Germain, Hypatia, Kovalevskaya, and Noether. However, there are many other women who have contributed significantly to the development of mathematics. Therefore this article provides only an extremely limited picture of the role women have played in the growth and development of mathematics.
Osen, L.M., Women in Mathematics, Cambridge, Mass. and London, England: M.I.T. Press, 1990.
Perl, T., Biographies of Women Mathematicians and Related Activities, Menlo Park, California: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1978.
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