Famous Mathematician- Ellen Hayes by

Ellen Amanda Hayes

klp3416 — 2013-12-09 21:30:38 UTC

Born September 23, 1851 in Granville, Ohio. The town was founded by her grandparents in 1805.

Early Years/Family

klp3416 — 2013-12-09 21:33:53 UTC

The oldest of four daughters and two sons

Parents: Charles Coleman Hayes and Ruth Rebecca Wolcott

Charles was an uneducated man, served as an officer in the Civil War, and later earned his living as a tanner.

Ruth came from a well-educated family, graduated the Granville Female Academy, and was a teacher.

Early Education

klp3416 — 2013-12-09 21:38:44 UTC

Home-schooled by her mother until age 8

Studied topics such as basic astronomy and botany along with learning reading and writing skills

Then attended Centerville School and completed her education in Granville
Taught in the rural areas for five years while she tried to save money for college

Childhood Effects

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Her family strongly supported education for both men and women

Ellen became concerned with the lack of employment opportunities and the optional courses for women in math and science field

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Furthering Education

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Began Oberlin College in Ohio in 1872

Training to become a school teacher

Oberlin accepted both men and women (first in the US)

Majored in Math and Science

Also studied History, English Literature, Greek, and Latin
Graduated with B.A. in 1878

Educational Effects

klp3416 — 2013-12-09 22:18:43 UTC

Well-rounded education aided her later work in public speaking and advocating for social change and women's voting rights.

Outside of Mathematics

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Called a "dauntless radical" for wearing short skirts in the 1880's, advocating for Women's suffrage in the 1890's and being a Socialist in the beginning of the 20th century.

Nominated as the first female candidate for Secretary of State in Massachusetts on the socialist ticket in 1912 and received more votes than any other socialist candidate
Also wrote books entitled "Wild Turkeys and Tallow Candles" (1920) and "The Sycamore Trail" (1929)

Accomplishments in Mathematics

klp3416 — 2013-12-10 00:11:10 UTC

Wrote a number of textbooks including:

Lessons on Higher Algebra (1891)
Elementary Trigonometry (1896)
Algebra for High Schools and Colleges (1897)
Calculus with Applications, An Introduction to the Mathematical Treatment of Science (1900)

Her textbooks focused on the use/application of these subjects

In 1881 elected as a member of the NY Mathematics Society, later called the American Mathematics Society

Career

klp3416 — 2013-12-10 00:12:03 UTC

Appointed to Wellesley College, a private women's college in 1879

Became a professor and Head of the Mathematics Department in 1888

Became the first head of the Department of Applied Mathematics in 1897

Remained at Wellesley until she retired in 1916

Circa 1910

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klp3416 — 2013-12-10 00:43:49 UTC

Later Years

klp3416 — 2013-12-10 00:45:07 UTC

After retirement, at age 78, moved to help establish a new school for young women workers in the factories in West Park, NY

Died there one year later (October 27, 1930)

Buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville, Ohio

References

klp3416 — 2013-12-10 01:14:00 UTC

http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/hayes.htm

http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/Biographies/Hayes.html

http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/ellen-amanda-hayes

http://www.granvillehistory.org/storage/historicaltimes/HistTimes200401.pdf

http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/rightsforwomen/introduction.html http://planetmath.org/ellenhayes
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/employment_occupations/cb13-162.html

Effects of the Times

klp3416 — 2013-12-10 01:44:03 UTC

Worked to break the mold of the typical woman living in the 1950's

Effects on Today

klp3416 — 2013-12-10 01:55:46 UTC

Opened the door for women in the math and science fields

"In 2011, women made up almost half of mathematical workers at 47 percent, an increase from 15 percent in 1970, and 41 percent of life and physical scientists, up from 14 percent in 1970."

klp3416 — 2013-12-10 02:33:29 UTC

"Fearless, devoted, intransigent, fanatical, if you like, and at times a thorn in the flesh of the trustees, who withheld the title of Emeritus on her retirement, she is remembered with enthusiasm and affection by many of her students."

klp3416 — 2013-12-10 02:45:38 UTC