(370? - 415)
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.
Her works include:
-
A Commentary
on the Arithmetica of Diophantus
-
A Commentary
on the Conics of Apollonious
-
She edited the
third book of her father's Commentary on the Almagest of
Ptolemy
http://www.light-science.com/hypatia.htm
http://www.cosmopolis.com/people/hypatia.html
