Born: 1860 (Alexandrovka, Russian Empire)
Biography:
Liouba Bortniker (1860 – after 1903) was a mathematician from the Russian Empire who became a naturalized French citizen. She was a trailblazer in the field of mathematics, achieving several significant milestones for women in academia. Bortniker was the first woman to earn an agrégation in mathematics, a prestigious French teaching certification, and she also became the inaugural winner of the Peccot–Vimont prize of the Collège de France. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being the first woman to publish in the Comptes rendus de l’Académie des Sciences.
Born on 20 May 1860 in Alexandrovka (which was then part of the Russian Empire and is now part of modern Ukraine), Bortniker displayed an exceptional aptitude for mathematics from an early age. She left her family to pursue her passion in Paris, where she arrived in 1879. In 1880, she earned a baccalauréat, and the following year, she obtained a licenciate in mathematical sciences from the Paris faculty of sciences. Her jury consisted of esteemed mathematicians Jean Claude Bouquet and Jules Tannery, as well as astronomer Félix Tisserand. Bortniker’s remarkable academic achievements earned her the opportunity to work as an assistant teacher in Sèvres, and in December 1881, she was granted residency in France.
In a groundbreaking turn of events, Bortniker made history in 1884 by becoming the first woman ever to attempt the agrégation examination in mathematics. However, due to subpar performance on the oral component of the exam, she did not pass. Undeterred, Bortniker resolved to try again the following year. Her persistence paid off when, in July 1885, she successfully passed the agrégation as the second highest scorer out of over 100 registrants. Subsequently, she became a naturalized French citizen in June 1885.
Bortniker embarked on a teaching career at the lycée de jeunes filles in Montpellier, where she shared her passion for mathematics with young minds. Her impact as an educator is immeasurable, as she inspired and nurtured countless students. Bortniker’s dedication and expertise did not go unnoticed. In 1886, she received the prestigious Peccot–Vimont prize, a notable recognition that would later lead to the establishment of the Peccot Lectures. This honor placed Bortniker in the company of renowned mathematicians like Jacques Hadamard and Élie Cartan, who went on to make significant contributions to the field of mathematics.
Throughout her career, Bortniker published sporadically, focusing on her research in the field of mathematics. Her notable work included investigations on cyclides, which are shapes that generalize the torus. Bortniker’s groundbreaking research in this area earned her further distinction, as her 1887 publication in the Comptes rendus de l’Académie des Sciences marked the first time a woman had been published in that esteemed journal.
In addition to her teaching and research, Bortniker also pursued a doctoral thesis under the guidance of Jean Gaston Darboux. However, she did not complete this work before her career took a different course. After 1888, there is limited information available on Bortniker’s life and achievements. While her exact date of passing is unknown, her legacy as an accomplished mathematician and a pioneering figure for women in academia endures to this day.
Awards:
– Peccot–Vimont prize (1886)