History

[flexibeast]

In discussions about women's supposed innate ability (or more specifically, their lack thereof) in the areas of science and mathematics, people often bring up the canard of "Look at all the great discoveries in those fields - they were made by men. Women just aren't wired for that stuff."

Last year i wrote about women in mathematics who have made significant contributions to the field, but who seem to be ignored by people making the above sort of claims. Today i came across an article in The Guardian: "The scientist whom history forgot", about Emilie du Châtalet. The article notes:

Voltaire wasn't much of a scientist, but Du Châtelet was a skilled theoretician. Once, working secretly at night at the chateau over just one intense summer month, hushing servants to not spoil the surprise for Voltaire, she came up with insights on the nature of light that set the stage for the future discovery of photography, as well as of infrared radiation. It was a humiliating contrast for Voltaire, and especially grating when she began to probe into the still recent mathematical physics of Sir Isaac Newton.

Voltaire could not follow any of the maths, but on political grounds he wanted to believe that Newton was perfect in all respects. Du Châtelet, however, began a research programme that went beyond Newton and led to her glimpsing notions that would lead later researchers to the idea of conservation of energy fundamental to all subsequent physics. . . .

Almost immediately after Du Châtelet's death, sharp-tongued gossips began to disparage her work. Then, as her insights entered the scientific mainstream, the idea that a woman had created these thoughts was considered so odd that even scientists who did use her ideas came to forget who had originated them.

The question begs: How many times has this happened throughout history?
 

Comments

[happyevilslosh.livejournal.com]

Sophie Germain (1776-1831)

Forced to study in private due to the turmoil of the French Revolution and the opposition of her parents, Germain nevertheless mastered mathematics through calculus on her own. She wanted to continue her studies at the Ecole Polytechnique when it opened in 1794, but women were not admitted as students. Nevertheless, she diligently collected and studied the lecture notes from various mathematics classes and even submitted a paper of her own to Lagrange. Mastering Gauss's Disquisitiones soon after it was published she also began a correspondence with him, using the pseudonym of M. Le Blanc. Germain was, in fact, responsible for suggesting to the French general leading the army occupying Brunswick in 1807 that he insure Gauss's safety. Gauss, naturally, did not then know the name of Sophie Germain, but the misunderstanding was cleared up with an exchange of letters. Perhaps surprisingly for a mathematician brought up in Germany, Gauss was pleased to learn that his correspondent and protextor was a woman. As he wrote, "When a person of the sex which, according to our customs and prejudices, must encounter infinitely more difficulties than men to familiarize herself with these thorny researches, succeeds nevertheless in surmounting these obstacles and penetrating the most obscure parts of them, then without doubt she must have the noblest courage, quite extraordinary talents, and a superior genius."
-- Victor Katz, A History of Mathematics

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

Yes, i noted Germain in my earlier entry. :-) Although i didn't note Gauss' pleasingly unprejudicial attitude towards her . . . .

[happyevilslosh.livejournal.com]

Just adding some more for completeness :)

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

Heh heh, yes, that is indeed quite a good start. :-)

i must say i'm not familiar with Katz's "History"; i myself have Boyer and Merzbach's compendium (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471543977/sr=8-1/qid=1154682610/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-2318099-4253412?ie=UTF8), which i've found to be rather good . . . .