This week I have chosen to spotlight a woman who was not only brilliant mathematically, but a great humanitarian. First I would like to mention that another excellent source on women mathematicians is the book Women in Mathematics by Lynn M. Olsen. Second, since last week I have discovered that there is a computer server named hypatia.math. (Hurrah!) Now, let me introduce you to Maria Geatan Agnesi, the first woman math professor.
Maria Geatan Agnesi was undoubtably unique among mathematicians. She lived her life in Milan, Italy, from 1718-1799. She had the fortune to be born into a society that found intelligent women attractive. She mastered many languages in her early childhood and at age nine published a Latin discourse describing the benefits of educating women. Her father was a professor in mathematics and the Agnesi home became a hub for intellectual activity. Despite her shy nature, Maria became actively involved in the discussions that ensued in her home.
She was the oldest of 21 children and when her mother died she took on the responsibility of caring for the household. Even with this burden she continued her work in mathematics, though in a less public environment. In 1738 she published a collection of essays on philosophy and natural science entitled Propositiones Philosophicae. Her next major work was Analytical Institutions, a product of ten years of effort, which was hailed as the first and most complete work on finite and infinitesimal analysis. Her proficiency in many languages allowed her to bring together works from many foreign sources. Her volumes were translated into English and French and were widely used as textbooks.
She became well known for her work with a curve called the ``Witch of Agnesi.'' The name resulted from a poor translation of the Latin vertere to turn, confused with a similar word that is Italian slang for ``wife of the devil.'' This plane curve has the equation xy2 = a2(a - x).
In 1750 the University of Bologna offered her first the position of honorary lecturer and then the position of Chair of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. This made her the first woman offered such a role. There is some controversy surrounding whether or not she accepted the position. It would seem that she did take the appointment and served until 1752, when her father died.
To the sadness of the mathematical community, with him her mathematical motivation passed as well. She turned to more religious pursuits, and devoted the rest of her life to caring for poor, homeless, sick women. She died at age 81.
On the hundredth anniversary of her death, Milan celebrated her memory, and roads in three Italian cities bear her name. She is a woman not to be forgotten.
Marni Mishna
mjmishna@undergrad.math.uwaterloo.ca
Copyright © mathNEWS 1997.