Born: 1860 (Phillipston, Massachusetts)
Died: 1934
Biography:
Charlotte Cynthia Barnum (May 17, 1860 – March 27, 1934), a distinguished mathematician and social activist, left an indelible mark on the field of mathematics and paved the way for women in academia. As the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from Yale University, her achievements were groundbreaking and inspiring.
Born in Phillipston, Massachusetts to the Reverend Samuel Weed Barnum and Charlotte Betts, Charlotte grew up in a family that cherished education. Her father had obtained a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Divinity from Yale, while her two uncles had medical degrees from the same institution. This environment fostered a love for learning in Charlotte and her siblings. Her brothers Samuel and Thomas would also go on to graduate from Yale, and her sister Clara would attend Yale graduate school after graduating from Vassar.
After completing her education at Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Connecticut, Charlotte pursued a degree at Vassar College, graduating in 1881. Following her graduation, she embarked on a teaching career, starting at Betts Academy, a boys’ preparatory school in Stamford, Connecticut, where she taught from 1881 to 1886. During this time, she also worked at the Yale Observatory from 1883 to 1885, engaging in computational work. Additionally, she contributed to the revision of James Dwight Dana’s System of Mineralogy.
Charlotte’s passion for mathematics and astronomy led her to become an editorial writer for Webster’s International Dictionary from 1886 to 1890. She then transitioned to teaching astronomy at Smith College for the academic year 1889–1890. However, her insatiable thirst for knowledge and pursuit of higher education compelled her to apply for graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University in 1890. Unfortunately, she faced rejection due to the university’s policy of not accepting women. Undeterred, and with the support of Simon Newcomb, a professor of mathematics and astronomy at Johns Hopkins University, she managed to attend lectures at the university without enrollment or charge.
In 1892, Charlotte relocated to New Haven to continue her graduate studies at Yale University. Her dedication and perseverance paid off when she became the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from Yale in 1895. Her pioneering thesis, titled Functions Having Lines or Surfaces of Discontinuity, showcased her exceptional mathematical prowess and established her as a prominent figure in the field.
After obtaining her Ph.D., Charlotte accepted a teaching position at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she taught for one year. However, she eventually transitioned away from academia and pursued a career in applied mathematics and editorial work. In 1898, she joined the American Academy of Actuaries, working as an actuarial computer for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company until 1901.
Her passion for mathematics continued to guide her as she moved to Washington, D.C. to work as a computer for the US Naval Observatory in 1901. She later took on similar roles for the tidal division of the US Coast and Geodetic Survey until 1908. Charlotte’s expertise was also sought after in the field of biology, where she served as an editorial assistant in the biological survey section of the US Department of Agriculture until 1913.
In 1914, Charlotte returned to New Haven and became actively involved in editorial work for various departments within Yale. She contributed to the Yale Peruvian Expeditions, the Yale University secretary’s office, and the Yale College Library. Her dedication to academia and her commitment to the pursuit of knowledge left a lasting impression on the Yale community.
Throughout her life, Charlotte Barnum faced numerous challenges and obstacles as a woman in a male-dominated field. However, her resilience, talent, and unwavering determination shattered the glass ceiling, making her a trailblazer for women in mathematics. Her groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire generations of women in STEM fields, cementing her legacy as a pioneer and influencer in the history of women’s empowerment and academic advancements.