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Hypatia of Alexandria: c.370-415
by Light-Science.com
Hypatia of Alexandria was the first woman recognized as a mathematician and scientist since the recording of history. Her interests included astronomy, philosophy, and inventions. In 415 Hypatia was tortured to death by religious zealots following the new Christian patriarch Cyril of Alexander.
Hypatia was born around 370 in Alexandria, Egypt. Her childhood is not well-known, other than she was taught by her father, Theon. Her father was a distinguished mathematician and astronomer working at the Museum. The Museum was the institute for higher learning and contained the Alexandria library. Once her formal studies were completed, she traveled to Athens and Italy.
She returned to Alexandria after completing her studies in the higher institutes of learning in the Mediterranean region. She taught mathematics and philosophy in Alexandria. Hypatia became leader of the Neoplatonic school of Alexandria in 400. This school was the last dedicated to the Greek philosophy of Plato. She attracted many students since she was regarded as an authority figure. She led the Neoplatonist school until her death, at which time it was beginning to fall.
Hypatia is the first woman that was known to write on the subjects of math, which included conic sections. The early Egyptian mathematician, Diophantus, had his algebraic equations refined by Hypatia. She also wrote several philosophy papers and astronomy papers. Only fragments of these writings remain.
Hypatia has been given credit for the astrolabe, which was used to measure star positions that were relative to the Earth. The astrolabe was also used for water purification. In 415 Hypatia was tortured to death by religious zealots following the new Christian patriarch Cyril of Alexander. This assassination was thought to be linked to her association with Orestes, a non-Christian prefect.
Hypatia's fame grew when news of her brutal death was heard. Her martyrdom was praised and probably caused other scholars to leave Alexandria. Many regard her death as the end of the influences of Greek philosophers and scientists.
Sources:
1. Kapsis, Eda C. Women in Chemistry and Physics: A Biobibliographic Source Book "Hypatia (c. 370-c. 415). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. 1993.
2. Editors. The World Book Encyclopedia. World Book-Childcraft International, Inc: Chicago. 1990
Further Study:
Hypatia
Hypatia of Alexandria was the first woman to make a substantial contribution to the development of mathematics.
Socrates Scholasticus: The Life of Hypatia
There was a woman at Alexandria named Hypatia, daughter of the philosopher Theon, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her own time.
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