Born: 1720 (Saragossa, Spain)
Biography:
María Andrea Casamayor de La Coma, born on 30 November 1720, in Saragossa, Spain, was a Spanish mathematician, writer, and girls’ school teacher. Her significant contributions to arithmetic challenged the prevailing notion that mathematics was the exclusive domain of men, and she became one of the few 18th century Spanish women scientists and mathematicians whose work has been preserved.
Maria Andresa Casamayor grew up in a wealthy family of textile merchants. Her father, Juan Joseph Casamayor, was a French merchant from Oloron, while her mother, Juana Rosa de La Coma, was a Saragossan. Maria Andresa was the seventh of nine children.
From a young age, Maria Andresa showed a keen interest in mathematics. Her passion for numbers and problem-solving led her to pursue a career in mathematics despite the prevailing societal norms. In 1738, she published her first book, Tyrocinio aritmético (Arithmetic Training). This practical book, written in a fresh and supple language, covered the four fundamental operations of arithmetic – addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division – with numerous examples based on real-life situations. It showcased her precise knowledge of the units of length, weight, and currency used during the 18th century.
Maria Andresa’s second book, El para sí solo, was an unpublished manuscript on advanced arithmetic. Written under the male pseudonym Casandro Mamés de La Marca y Araioa, this 109-page work demonstrated her mastery of mathematics. By rearranging the letters of her own name, Maria Andresa Casamayor, she created a perfect anagram for her nom de plume.
Throughout her career, Maria Andresa displayed both exceptional mathematical ability and a deep concern for education. According to her collaborator, Dominican priest Pedro Martínez, her aim was to bring education to the many who have no means to achieve it through her concise and practical mathematical works.
María Andrea Casamayor’s contributions to arithmetic and her dedication to education were groundbreaking for her time. She defied societal expectations, excelling in a field dominated by men. Today, she is remembered as one of the pioneering women mathematicians of the 18th century.