Women Scientists

Hypatia Of Alexandria 370-415

At a glance:

first notable woman polymath murdered by those who envied her scholarship

A truly extraordinary woman who headed the school at Alexandria in Roman Egypt hailed as a valiant defender of science against religion. She discourage mysticism and encouraged logical mathematical thinking. 'Reserve your right to think' she said 'for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all'. She wrote treatises on geometry, algebra and astronomy, including charts of celestial bodies. A gifted teacher of philosophy, students flocked to her from all over the Greek world, although she was a pagan. She invented several tools, including a device for distilling water. Renowned for her beauty and for her learning she paid for her talent with her life. She was stripped naked, dragged through the streets and killed by a Coptic Christian mob, who felt threatened by her scholarship and scientific knowledge.
Hypatia Of Alexandria

Thank you for voting in our search for the most celebrated female scientist of all time

Please note that generic images have been used for some of the scientists where the costs of the image rights have been prohibitive.

Comments

No one has added any comments about Hypatia Of Alexandria yet. Why not be the first?



Add your own comment