Born: 1858
Died: 1939
Biography:
Alice Lee (1858–1939) was a British mathematician and one of the pioneering women in academia. She made significant contributions to the field of statistics and challenged prevailing beliefs regarding intelligence and gender. Lee’s work not only paved the way for future generations of female mathematicians but also challenged the status quo in broader society.
Born in 1858, Alice Lee displayed an early aptitude for mathematics. She attended Bedford College from 1876 to 1884, where she excelled in her studies. In 1879, she became one of the first women to graduate from the University of London, earning a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. She furthered her education and received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1885.
After completing her studies, Lee remained at Bedford College as a lecturer in mathematics and physics. In addition to her teaching role, she also took on various responsibilities, such as helping out in Greek and Latin classes. Lee’s dedication to education and her passion for mathematics were evident in her commitment to her students and her continued pursuit of knowledge.
Lee’s path took an exciting turn when she began working with renowned statistician Karl Pearson in 1892. Pearson’s lectures on statistics at University College London captivated Lee’s interest, and she embarked on advanced studies under his guidance. Her research focused on the variation in cranial capacity in humans and its correlation with intellectual ability, a topic that was highly controversial at the time.
In 1901, Lee published her groundbreaking paper titled A Study of the Correlation of the Human Skull. In this paper, she presented findings that refuted the widely-held belief that brainpower increased with skull size, suggesting that larger-headed individuals were more intelligent. Lee’s meticulous examination of three distinct groups – women students from Bedford College, male faculty at University College, and a collection of distinguished male anatomists – revealed no significant correlation between cranial capacity and intelligence.
These findings were met with mixed reactions. Many within the field of craniology were resistant to accepting Lee’s conclusions, as it contradicted existing theories and challenged notions of male intellectual superiority. Lee’s thesis examiners criticized her work, and prominent eugenicist Francis Galton questioned both its originality and scientific quality. However, Karl Pearson staunchly supported Lee, recognizing the validity and significance of her research.
Alice Lee’s work not only reshaped the field of craniology but also had broader implications for society’s perception of intelligence and gender. Her findings challenged deep-rooted biases and laid the foundation for future studies in the field of anthropology and psychology. Lee’s commitment to rigorous scientific research and her bravery in challenging prevailing beliefs made her an inspiring figure for women and academics alike.
Despite facing adversity and skepticism, Alice Lee’s work has stood the test of time. Her contributions to statistics and her role as a trailblazer for women in academia continue to be celebrated. Lee’s dedication to empirical research and her commitment to advancing knowledge remain a testament to her enduring legacy.