Born: 1862 (Ripon, Wisconsin)
Biography:
Winifred Edgerton Merrill, born on September 24, 1862, in Ripon, Wisconsin, was a pioneering figure in the field of mathematics and a trailblazer for women in academia. She is widely recognized as the first woman to receive a degree from Columbia University and the first American woman to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics.
Growing up in a family of means, Winifred had the advantage of a supportive environment that nurtured her intellectual curiosity. Her parents, Clara and Emmett Edgerton, provided her with a small home observatory, allowing her to pursue her interest in astronomy from an early age. This early exposure to the sciences would lay the foundation for her future achievements.
Winifred pursued her undergraduate education at Wellesley College, where she earned her B.A. degree in 1883. After graduation, she taught for a time at Sylvanus Reed’s School, all the while maintaining her interest in astronomy. In 1883, Winifred independently used data from the Harvard observatory to calculate the orbit of the Pons-Brooks comet, showcasing her exceptional abilities in this field.
Driven by a strong desire for further education and recognition, Winifred turned to Columbia University, an all-male institution at the time, to continue her studies. Her appeal to use their telescope was granted on February 4, 1884, although she was advised not to disrupt the male students. As a laboratory assistant to the director of the observatory, Winifred embarked on her journey into the realm of mathematics.
At Columbia, Winifred studied under prominent professors such as John Krom Rees, J. Howard Van Amringe, and William Guy Peck. Despite facing initial rejection by the board of trustees for her degree, Winifred persisted in her pursuit. Encouraged by President Frederick A. P. Barnard, she individually spoke to each trustee, ultimately leading to her being awarded a Ph.D. with high honors in 1886. Her thesis, titled Multiple Integrals and Their Geometrical Interpretation of Cartesian Geometry, in Trilinears and Triplanars, in Tangentials, in Quaternions, and in Modern Geometry; Their Analytical Interpretations in the Theory of Equations, Using Determinants, Invariants and Covariants as Instruments in the Investigation showcased her expertise in the field.
Winifred’s achievement did not go unnoticed, and her accomplishment at the 1886 Columbia Commencement was lauded as a significant event. She became the first Wellesley graduate to receive a doctorate in mathematics and likely the first woman in the United States to earn such a distinction. It is worth mentioning that some male students at Columbia had attempted to create obstacles for her, requesting professors to assign the most challenging textbook in their Celestial Mechanics course. However, Winifred excelled and demonstrated her exceptional abilities once again.
Throughout her lifetime, Winifred Edgerton Merrill made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy. Her groundbreaking achievements paved the way for future generations of women in academia, inspiring countless others to pursue their passions and overcome gender barriers. Her legacy continues to inspire and shape the landscape of mathematics and women’s history.