Born: 1868
Biography:
Philippa Garrett Fawcett was an exceptional English mathematician and educator, recognized as the first woman to achieve the top score in the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos exams. Born on April 4, 1868, she hailed from a family deeply involved in the suffrage movement and academic pursuits. Her mother was Millicent Fawcett, a prominent suffragist and her father, Henry Fawcett, held the esteemed position of Professor of Political Economy at Cambridge and served as the Postmaster General in Gladstone’s second government. Philippa’s aunt, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, also left a significant mark as the first female doctor in England.
After her father’s passing, Philippa and her mother moved to live with Millicent’s sister, Agnes Garrett, who had established an interior design business at Gower Street, Bloomsbury. It was in this environment that Philippa’s passion for education and mathematics flourished.
Philippa began her education at Bedford College in London, which is now known as Royal Holloway. Later, she attended Newnham College in Cambridge, which had been co-founded by her mother. In 1890, she made history by becoming the first woman to achieve the highest score in the prestigious Cambridge Mathematical Tripos exams. Her outstanding performance received widespread recognition, with acknowledgement that her score was 13% higher than the second-highest scorer. However, due to the existing rules of that time, only men were officially ranked, while women were listed separately. As a result, Philippa did not receive the title of Senior Wrangler, which was bestowed upon the top male candidate. Nonetheless, her achievement as above the senior wrangler which was described in the women’s list was a breakthrough for women’s accomplishments and rights.
A poem composed in 1890 to honor Philippa’s remarkable accomplishment captured the attention of many, referring to her exceptional knowledge and expertise in areas such as curve and angle calculation, parallelepipedon, and parallelogram manipulation. This poem also alluded to the renowned mathematicians of the time, Arthur Cayley and George Salmon, suggesting that Philippa had surpassed their achievements. Her achievement gained global media coverage, sparking significant discussions about women’s intellectual capabilities and their rightful place in society.
Fawcett’s triumph occurred amidst the backdrop of the women’s suffrage movement, further amplifying its significance. The Telegraph newspaper published a headline the day after her achievement, stating, Once again has woman demonstrated her superiority in the face of an incredulous and somewhat unsympathetic world. It went on to celebrate the victory of the Newnham and Girton students, declaring that women now excelled in all fields of learning.
Philippa Fawcett’s influence extended beyond academia. She dedicated herself to teaching at Newnham College in Cambridge and also at the normal school (teacher training college) in Johannesburg. Additionally, she served as an administrator for the London County Council, contributing to educational reforms and advancements.
Throughout her life, Philippa faced numerous challenges and obstacles due to the prevailing gender norms of the time. However, her unwavering determination, exceptional talent in mathematics, and groundbreaking success in the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos exams paved the way for future generations of women in the field. By challenging societal expectations and breaking barriers, she played a vital role in advancing women’s rights and empowering them to pursue their passions and academic aspirations.
Awards:
– Philippa Fawcett received the recognition of being the first woman to achieve the highest score in the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos exams, a groundbreaking accomplishment in the field of mathematics that challenged societal norms and paved the way for future generations of women.