Born: 1884 (Cottbus, Germany)
Died: 1966 (Bad Godesberg, Germany)
Biography:
Frieda Nugel (1884–1966) was a German mathematician and civil rights activist, known for being one of the first German women to earn a doctorate in mathematics. Born on June 18, 1884, in Cottbus, Nugel was the fourth of six children of Friedrich Arthur Nugel, a musician. She showed an early aptitude for academics and attended the Mädchen-Mittelschule (Girl’s Middle School) in her hometown until 1901. Nugel then continued her studies at the Höhere Mädchenschule (Girl’s High School) until 1906.
After completing the state teaching examination in Berlin, Nugel worked as a private tutor for the Von Werdeck family in Cottbus. During this time, she also studied under the guidance of Rudolf Tiemann and successfully passed the final level of German mathematics exams. In 1906, Nugel became certified as a teacher and began working as a private instructor for the Werdeck family. In 1907, she finished her studies at the Luisenstädtische Oberschule (High School) and proceeded to start her university studies in Berlin.
Nugel’s academic journey led her to Munich in 1909, and she eventually settled in Halle in the same year. In Halle, she pursued a doctoral degree in mathematics at the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg. Under the supervision of August Gutzmer, Nugel successfully defended her dissertation and earned her PhD in 1912. Her dissertation, titled Die Schraubenlinien. Eine monographische Darstellung (Screw Lines: A Monographic Representation), showcased her deep understanding and contribution to the field of mathematics.
Despite her impressive academic achievements, Nugel faced numerous challenges during her career. After her marriage to Louis Hahn in 1914, Nugel moved to Altena and then to Emden, her husband’s hometown. During World War I, she taught at two schools in Emden, but from 1918 to 1927, Nugel taught privately and actively promoted civil rights and better education for women.
In 1927, following the collapse of her husband’s newspaper business, Nugel secured a part-time teaching position at a school in Emden. Despite her expertise, she was paid a smaller salary compared to her male colleagues. Nugel’s teaching subjects included mathematics, physics, and German. During World War II, Nugel witnessed the bombing of Emden, and the school was forced to relocate to Bad Wildungen. Tragically, both of her sons, who had served as officers in the war, were killed in 1944.
Nugel retired in 1945 at the age of 61. Her husband passed away in 1952, and in 1955, Nugel moved to Bad Godesberg to be closer to her remaining family. In 1962, on the 50th anniversary of her dissertation, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Halle honored Nugel with a Golden Doctoral Diploma award. This recognition not only celebrated her academic excellence but also her pioneering role as a woman in the field of mathematics.
Frieda Nugel passed away on November 6, 1966, in Bad Godesberg, leaving behind a legacy of academic achievement and advocacy for women’s rights. She was a trailblazer in her field and a testament to the resilience and determination of women in pursuing their passion for mathematics.
Awards:
– Golden Doctoral Diploma from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Halle (1962)