Born: 1869
Died: 1950
Biography:
Ada Isabel Maddison (1869 – 1950) was a British mathematician best known for her work on differential equations. Maddison had a remarkable academic journey, overcoming many obstacles as a woman in a time when higher education was not readily accessible to women. Her contributions to mathematics and her perseverance in pursuing her passion have left a lasting legacy.
Born in 1869, Maddison’s early interest in mathematics set her on a path to become a groundbreaking mathematician. She entered University College in Cardiff in 1885 and proved her exceptional abilities, earning a Clothworker’s Guild Scholarship to study at Girton College, Cambridge. In 1889, Maddison matriculated at Girton College, where she encountered other brilliant minds, including Grace Chisholm Young.
During her time at Cambridge, Maddison attended lectures by renowned mathematicians such as Cayley, Whitehead, and Young. In 1892, she achieved an outstanding accomplishment by passing the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos Exam, earning a First Class degree. However, due to the prevailing gender biases of the time, she was not allowed to receive a degree from Cambridge. Nevertheless, Maddison’s dedication and tenacity led her to be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science with Honors from the University of London in 1893.
Eager to broaden her horizons, Maddison embarked on a journey to the United States. She was awarded a scholarship that enabled her to study at Bryn Mawr College in 1892-93, under the guidance of Charlotte Scott, the first woman to earn a First Class degree at Cambridge. Maddison’s time at Bryn Mawr proved instrumental in shaping her career and research interests.
In pursuit of further knowledge, Maddison traveled to the University of Göttingen in Germany in the academic year 1893-1894. There, she attended lectures by eminent mathematicians Felix Klein and David Hilbert. Maddison’s thirst for knowledge and dedication to her studies were evident when she sat the University of London exams in 1893 and was awarded a BSc with Honors.
Maddison’s academic achievements culminated in receiving her Ph.D. from Bryn Mawr College in 1896. Throughout her career, she made significant contributions to mathematics, particularly in the field of differential equations. Maddison’s interest in linear algebra, influenced by her time at Cambridge, guided her initial research at Bryn Mawr. However, under the guidance of Charlotte Scott, she shifted her focus to singular solutions of differential equations, exploring new avenues of mathematical inquiry.
Despite facing numerous challenges and limitations due to her gender, Maddison’s resilience and passion for mathematics propelled her career forward. Her innovative work and unwavering determination played a vital role in advancing the field, particularly for women in mathematics.