Notable Women in Mathematics: A Biographical Dictionary [Hardcover]

Charlene Morrow (Editor), Teri Perl (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313291314 | ISBN-13: 978-0313291319 | Publication Date: May 30, 1998

This volume features substantive biographical essays on 59 women from around the world who have made significant contributions to mathematics from antiquity to the present. Designed for secondary school students and the general public, each profile describes major life events, obstacles faced and overcome, educational and career milestones--including a discussion of mathematical research in non-technical terms--and interests outside of 2 promotics. Although the collection includes historical women, the emphasis is on contemporary mathematicians, many of whom have not been profiled in any previous work. The work also celebrates the contributions of minority women, including 10 African-American, Latina, and Asian mathematicians. Written by practicing mathematicians, teachers and researchers, these profiles give voice to the variety of pathways into mathematics that women have followed and the diversity of areas in which mathematics can work. Many profiles draw on interviews with the subject, and each includes a short list of suggested reading by and about the mathematician. Most mathematicians profiled stress the value, importance, and enjoyment of collaborative research, contradicting the prevailing notion that doing good mathematics requires isolation. This collection provides not only a substantial number of role models for girls interested in a career in mathematics, but also a unique depiction of a field that can offer a lifetime of challenge and enjoyment.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-This book features five-to-six page profiles of 59 mathematicians and scientific computing researchers from around the world. Each profile describes the woman's major life events and educational and career milestones, includes a discussion of her areas of mathematical research in nontechnical terms, and lists works by and about that person. All entries have an accompanying black-and-white photograph. The majority of essays are based on interviews by the authors. Appendixes give listings of dates of birth and countries of employment and origin and the subject index provides easy access. Notable Mathematicians: From Ancient Times to the Present (Gale, 1998) profiles 23 of the same women. When comparing the two profiles of Karen Uhlenbeck, readers will find that Notable Women presents more information regarding her elementary school experiences, college choices, and difficulties in finding a first tenure-track position and mentors. Morrow and Perl's book also includes three profiles of African-American mathematicians, one Latina profile, and one Asian profile not found in the Gale book.
P. A. Dolan, Illinois State University, Normal
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

It is a rare high school girl who will be inspired to study mathematics by reading any of these 59 histories of discrimination and discouragement and learning, for instance, that Julia Robinson didn't mind being the only girl in a room full of boys because "mostly they paid no attention to her unless they needed help with homework." This dictionary contains signed articles with references to works by and about the subject, written by women mathematicians and educators. Indexes list dates of birth and countries of origin and employment. Most of the women profiled are living, currently active academic mathematicians, and several were interviewed especially for this dictionary. Six of these same women were also among those interviewed for Claudia Henrion's Women in Mathematics (Indiana Univ., 1997), which addresses the question of why even the most successful women mathematicians continue to feel like outsiders in the mathematical community. In writing for a high school/general audience, the contributors have had to tackle the "devilishly difficult task" of describing mathematical achievements to non-mathematicians. It seems a bit too bad that the focus on academic mathematicians excludes such women as Constance Reid (recently awarded the 1998 Communications Award for mathematics) or Sheila Tobias (famous for studies of math anxiety), whose contributions might seem more accessible to young women. Notable Mathematicians (Gale, 1997) has a good selection of famous historical female mathematicians and may be sufficient for the needs of many libraries. However, this dictionary introduces us to the mathematical achievements of many less-famous women, and the biographies of modern lives are less remote from the experience of modern people. For public and academic libraries.?Amy Brunvand, Univ. of Utah Lib., Salt Lake City
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (May 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313291314
• ISBN-13: 978-0313291319
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,224,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth reading!, September 11, 1998

By 

J. Miles (MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Notable Women in Mathematics: A Biographical Dictionary (Hardcover)

This is a very good book, not only informative, but it kept me interested where so many other books on the subjects of math or women mathematicians could be real yawners. It includes lots of information, the biographies are short and don't drag on, and books like this could be very inspirational to young women interested in pursuing careers in math. The book introduces all sorts of women in math, most of whom I was not familiar with before reading it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about math-related careers, the growing importance of women in the field, or is just looking for some good non-fiction to read. It's worth it!