Born: 1883 (Hildesheim, Prussia)
Died: 1968 (Buenos Aires)
Biography:
Klara Löbenstein (15 February 1883 – 10 June 1968) was a German mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of algebraic geometry. She was among the first women in Germany to obtain a doctorate in mathematics, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of female mathematicians.
Born on 15 February 1883 in Hildesheim, Prussia, Klara Löbenstein was the daughter of merchant Lehmann Löbenstein and his wife Sofie (née Schönfeld). In a time when opportunities for women were limited, Löbenstein displayed exceptional talent and drive from an early age. In 1904, she was granted permission to take her Abitur, the qualifying examination for university admission, at the Realgymnasium I Gymnasium in Hanover. This allowed her to join a small group of gifted young women who were allowed to take the Abitur externally at boys’ schools.
Although Prussia only began officially admitting women to universities in the winter semester of 1908–1909, Löbenstein and her friend Margarete Kahn found a way to pursue their studies in mathematics. They attended the universities of Berlin and Göttingen as guest students, studying mathematics, physics, and propaedeutics. Löbenstein specialized in algebraic geometry and, together with Kahn, made a significant contribution to David Hilbert’s sixteenth problem.
Hilbert’s sixteenth problem focused on the topology of algebraic curves in the complex projective plane. Specifically, he proposed that there are no algebraic curves of degree 6 consisting of 11 separate ovals. Löbenstein and Kahn developed innovative methods to tackle this problem, adding to the existing body of knowledge in the field.
In 1910, Klara Löbenstein obtained her doctorate under the supervision of David Hilbert at the University of Göttingen. Her doctoral dissertation, titled Über den Satz, daß eine ebene, algebraische Kurve 6. Ordnung mit 11 sich einander ausschließenden Ovalen nicht existiert (On the proposition that no plane algebraic curve of degree 6 with 11 mutually exclusive ovals exists), was groundbreaking in its findings. She became one of the first German women to be awarded a doctorate in mathematics, at a time when gender parity in academia seemed like an unattainable goal.
After completing her doctorate, Löbenstein worked as a high school teacher in Metz and Landsberg. Her career faced a setback when she was dismissed on 1 January 1936 due to the implementation of the Nazi racial laws. Despite facing adversity, Löbenstein remained resilient and determined. In 1941, she made the courageous decision to emigrate to Argentina, seeking a safe haven from the horrors of World War II and the persecution under the Nazi regime.
In Buenos Aires, Klara Löbenstein continued to contribute to the field of mathematics, albeit in a different capacity. She made lasting connections within the mathematical community and remained engaged in intellectual pursuits. Her legacy as one of the first German women to obtain a doctorate in mathematics and her contributions to algebraic geometry continue to inspire generations of mathematicians, especially women, who strive to overcome barriers and excel in their chosen field.
Klara Löbenstein passed away on 10 June 1968 in Buenos Aires, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of academic achievement and resilience. She rests in the Cementerio alemán, where her contributions to the field of mathematics and her pioneering spirit will be forever remembered.