Two Feminist Mathematicians in the Time of Euler

1. Two Feminist Mathematiciansin the Time of Euler By Laura Printz Hood College Maria Gaetana Agnesi and Emilie du Chatelet are known as mathematicians. But they had something else in common: they were both advocates of education and opportunity for women.Maria Gaetana Agnesi and Emilie du Chatelet are known as mathematicians. But they had something else in common: they were both advocates of education and opportunity for women.

2. The Year of Euler In this Year of Euler, it is also instructive to look at the contributions of women to mathematics in his time.In this Year of Euler, it is also instructive to look at the contributions of women to mathematics in his time.

3. 18th Century: The Age of Enlightenment Scientific and intellectual developments International System of Thought Philosophy The two most famous writers and philosophers of the 18th century Enlightenment period were Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Fran�ois-Marie Arouet, better known by his pen name of Voltaire. These two held very different views of the role of women in society.The two most famous writers and philosophers of the 18th century Enlightenment period were Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Fran�ois-Marie Arouet, better known by his pen name of Voltaire. These two held very different views of the role of women in society.

4. The Debate of the Academy of the Ricovrati 1723 Head of the Academy demanded that �old questions, customs and beliefs be reevaluated and put to the test of reason.� Transcript became a published text in 1729 Served as a preview to the continuing controversy of women�s education over the course of the Italian Enlightenment. The Academy of the Ricovrati in Padua was the site of a famous debate held on June 16, 1723, on the topic of �Should women be admitted to the study of the sciences and the noble arts?�The Academy of the Ricovrati in Padua was the site of a famous debate held on June 16, 1723, on the topic of �Should women be admitted to the study of the sciences and the noble arts?�

5. education in europefor women Options: Convents Salons Tutors Even in wealthy families, there were few opportunities for education in 18th century women. Even in wealthy families, there were few opportunities for education in 18th century women.

6. maria gaetana agnesi (1718-1799)  Milan, Italy Family life One of 21 children Devoted to her father Education Languages Tutors Religious vs. Family Convictions Maria Gaetana Agnesi was born to a fairly wealthy family of silk merchants. Early recognized as a child prodigy, she learned from private tutors engaged by her parents for her and her sister Maria Teresa. Although all she really wanted was to enter a convent and devote her life to the poor, she was convinced by her father to stay at home and manage the household, overseeing the education of her younger siblings, following the deaths of her father�s three wives.Maria Gaetana Agnesi was born to a fairly wealthy family of silk merchants. Early recognized as a child prodigy, she learned from private tutors engaged by her parents for her and her sister Maria Teresa. Although all she really wanted was to enter a convent and devote her life to the poor, she was convinced by her father to stay at home and manage the household, overseeing the education of her younger siblings, following the deaths of her father�s three wives.

7. Agnesi�s accomplishments Published Propositiones philosophicae. 191 theses on various sciences. Published two volume Instituzioni Analitche. Offered the chair of mathematics and natural philosophy at University of Bologna When Agnesi was 21 years old, she published the transcripts of the talks she had given in her father�s home as a youth. She then turned her attention to mathematics and spent the next ten years writing the Analytical Institutions as a calculus text for �Italian youths.� Although she was offered a position in Bologna, she never left Milan.When Agnesi was 21 years old, she published the transcripts of the talks she had given in her father�s home as a youth. She then turned her attention to mathematics and spent the next ten years writing the Analytical Institutions as a calculus text for �Italian youths.� Although she was offered a position in Bologna, she never left Milan.

8. Agnesi�s thoughts on education Oral Translation at Age Nine Maria Gaetana Agnesi et alia: The Contest for Knowledge: Debates Over Women�s Education in Eighteenth Century Italy Leads by example Agnesi was a forceful advocate for the education of women, possibly influenced by the Ricovrati debate that was held when she was a girl. Four years later, she delivered this discourse on the importance of educating women.Agnesi was a forceful advocate for the education of women, possibly influenced by the Ricovrati debate that was held when she was a girl. Four years later, she delivered this discourse on the importance of educating women.

9. Dedication of her book �For if at any time there can be an excuse for the rashness of a Woman, who ventures to aspire to the subtleties of a science, which knows no bounds, not even those of infinity itself, it certainly should be at this glorious period, in which a Woman reigns, and reigns with universal applause and admiration.� Indeed, I am fully convinced, that in this age, an age which, from your reign, will be distinguished to latest posterity, every Woman ought to exert herself, and endeavor to promote the glory of her sex, and to contribute her utmost to increase that luster, which it happily receives from Your Majesty....." Excerpt from Agnesi Instituzioni analitiche  Agnesi dedicated her calculus book to the Empress Maria Teresa of Austria, with this inscription.Agnesi dedicated her calculus book to the Empress Maria Teresa of Austria, with this inscription.

10. Emilie du ch�telet (1706-1749)��was a great man whose only  fault was being a woman� -Voltaire Paris, France Education Languages Physical Education Tutors Voltaire�s Mistress Another female contemporary of Euler, Emilie du Chatelet, led a very different life. Also from a wealthy family, she enjoyed the glamorous life of Paris and took several lovers, the most famous of whom was the writer Voltaire.Another female contemporary of Euler, Emilie du Chatelet, led a very different life. Also from a wealthy family, she enjoyed the glamorous life of Paris and took several lovers, the most famous of whom was the writer Voltaire.

11. Voltaire�s Mistress Even though she was one of the most brilliant women who ever lived, she is mostly remembered as the mistress of Voltaire.Even though she was one of the most brilliant women who ever lived, she is mostly remembered as the mistress of Voltaire.

12. DU CHATELET AS A MATHEMATICIAN/ SCIENTIST Published physics textbook Instituitions de physique Translated Newton�s Principia with commentaries Nature of Fire Essay E=mc2 Her mathematical and scientific accomplishments were impressive. She is mentioned in David Bodanis�s book about Einstein�s famous formula, for her role in determining the relationship between velocity and energy.Her mathematical and scientific accomplishments were impressive. She is mentioned in David Bodanis�s book about Einstein�s famous formula, for her role in determining the relationship between velocity and energy.

13. Du chatelet as a translator Mandeville�s Fable of the Bees Newton�s Principia Sophocles Oedipus Rex �J�apprends l�italien, non seulement pour l�entendre, mais peut-�tre pour le traduire un jour. Je m�exerce dans l�art de la traduction, pour m�en rendre digne. Je traduis the fable of the bees de Mandeville; c�est un livre qui m�rite que vous le lisiez, si vous ne le connaissez pas; il est amusant et instructif.� She was also a prolific translator, from English, Latin and Greek into French. Mandeville�s Fable of the Bees was a scandalous poem about public virtue and private vice, and was banned on both sides of the English Channel.She was also a prolific translator, from English, Latin and Greek into French. Mandeville�s Fable of the Bees was a scandalous poem about public virtue and private vice, and was banned on both sides of the English Channel.

14. Du Chatelet as a feminist Words and deeds Actions speak louder than words. Caf�s in Paris. Du Chatelet was also an outspoken advocate for women�s rights. As a woman, she was unable to attend the academic discussion in the cafes of Paris. One legend is that she dressed as a man and tried to gain admittance. Her courageous and unusual life shows her to be an early feminist.Du Chatelet was also an outspoken advocate for women�s rights. As a woman, she was unable to attend the academic discussion in the cafes of Paris. One legend is that she dressed as a man and tried to gain admittance. Her courageous and unusual life shows her to be an early feminist.

15. Echoes of Virginia Woolf�Echoes of Virginia Woolf�

16. Both defended women�s education Agnesi - started early (at age 9). Spoke out orally, then had speech published. Dedicated her book to strong women. Du Ch�telet- translated a book added a compelling preface. Both were good role models and lead by example. Both spoke out in favor on the debate for women�s education! Although these two women were very different, they shared a love of mathematics and a belief that women deserved a good education.Although these two women were very different, they shared a love of mathematics and a belief that women deserved a good education.

17. From Lynn Osen�s book Women in Mathematics (MIT Press, 1974).From Lynn Osen�s book Women in Mathematics (MIT Press, 1974).

18. Special Thanks to: The Summer Research Institute at Hood College: Dr. Mayfield Dr. Tysdal Mel Barrick, Lindsey Nagy, and Chelsea Sprankle The Mathematical Association of America Dr. Victor Katz Bill Dunham Dr. Ron Calinger

19. Works Cited Edwards, Samuel. The Divine Mistress. New York: Van Rees Press, 1970. Findlen, Paula and Rebecca Messbarger. The Contest for Knowledge. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2005. Goodman, Dena. �Enlightenment Salons: The Convergence of Female and Philosophic Ambitions.� Eighteenth-Century Studies. Spring 1989: 22. Osen, Lynn M. Women in Mathematics. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1974. Schiebinger, Londa. �Feminine Icons: The Face of Early Modern Science.� Critical Inquiry. Summer 1988: 14. Trusdell, Clifford. �Maria Gaetana Agnesi.� Archive for History of Exact Sciences. 1989: 40. Wade, Ira O. Voltaire and Madame Du Chatelet. New York: Octagon Books Inc., 1941. Zinsser, Judith P. La Dame d�Esprit. New York: The Penguin Group, 2006. Zinsser, Judith P. �Translating Newton�s �Principia�: The Marquise du Chatelet�s Revisions and Additions for French Audience.� Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London. May 2001: 55.