Born: 1858 (Lincolnshire, England)
Died: 1931
Biography:
Charlotte Angas Scott (8 June 1858 – 10 November 1931) was a British mathematician who made her career in the United States and was influential in the development of American mathematics, including the mathematical education of women. Charlotte Scott played an important role in Cambridge changing the rules for its famous Mathematical Tripos exam.
She was born on June 8, 1858, in Lincolnshire, England. Her parents, Caleb Scott and Eliza Exley Scott, were deeply religious, and her father was a minister of the Congregational Church. Charlotte Scott was the second of their seven children, and from a young age, she displayed a keen interest in mathematics.
Scott’s academic journey began at Girton College, Cambridge in 1876. She received a scholarship to attend the college, where she studied mathematics. After completing her undergraduate studies in 1880, she remained at Girton College as a Resident Lecturer in Mathematics until 1884.
In 1885, Scott made history by becoming one of the first British women to receive a doctorate. She earned her doctorate in mathematics from the University of London, becoming the first British woman to achieve this distinction. Her graduate research was conducted under the supervision of renowned mathematician Arthur Cayley at Cambridge University. However, since Cambridge did not award degrees to women until 1948, Scott received her BSc in 1882 and D.Sc. in 1885 from the University of London through external examinations.
One of the defining moments in Scott’s career came in 1880 when she obtained special permission to take the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos Exam. At that time, women were not allowed to sit for the exam. Despite the obstacles, Scott achieved remarkable success, coming in eighth place among all the students. However, due to her gender, the title of eighth wrangler, a prestigious honor, was officially given to a male student.
Nevertheless, Scott’s accomplishment did not go unnoticed. At the award ceremony, all the students in the audience shouted her name when the man came to ‘eighth.’ The undergraduates cheered tremendously, waving their hats and chanting Scott of Girton repeatedly. While she couldn’t attend the ceremony, Scott celebrated her achievement at Girton College, where there were cheers and clapping at dinner, a special evening ceremony where the students sang See the Conquering Hero Comes, and she was crowned with laurels. This landmark event paved the way for women to take the examination formally and for their scores to be listed, albeit separately from the men’s and not included in the rankings. Women who reached the required score received a special certificate instead of the BA degree with honors.
In 1885, Charlotte Scott decided to move to the United States. There, she became one of the founding faculty members of Bryn Mawr College, a prestigious women’s liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. She taught mathematics at Bryn Mawr for nearly four decades and played a significant role in the development of American mathematics and the education of women in this field.
Scott’s work at Bryn Mawr College had a lasting impact on the field of mathematics. She published several influential research papers and mentored numerous students who went on to have successful careers in mathematics. Through her teaching, Scott inspired generations of women to pursue mathematical studies and break down barriers in the academic world.
Charlotte Scott’s contributions to mathematics and the advancement of women in the field were widely recognized. She received many accolades for her work, including being elected as the first female President of the American Mathematical Society in 1924. Scott’s achievements marked a turning point in the history of women’s education and feminism in England, and her influence extended far beyond her own time.
Charlotte Angas Scott passed away on November 10, 1931, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the field of mathematics. Her dedication, brilliance, and determination continue to inspire women in mathematics to this day.
Awards:
– First female President of the American Mathematical Society (1924)