"The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.
"
DESCARTES (1643 – 1727)
A French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist, Descartes' philosophy of deductive reasoning
Descartes is often credited as the father of modern through mathematical and logical principles
philosophy. His work in mathematics includes the greatly influenced the scientific method. His
development of Cartesian coordinates, which laid famous statement "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think,
the groundwork for analytic geometry. therefore I am") has had a profound impact on
Western thought.
"Number is the ruler of forms and ideas, and the cause of gods and demons."
PYTHAGORAS
c. 570 – c. 495 BCE In this school, mathematics was studied not just as
an abstract discipline, but as a way of understanding
the cosmos. Pythagoras's work influenced Plato and
A Greek philosopher and mathematician,
Aristotle, and through them, the entire development
Pythagoras is best known for the Pythagorean
of Western philosophy. His ideas also laid the
theorem, which is a fundamental relation in
groundwork for later mathematical and scientific
Euclidean geometry. He founded the
discoveries, and his belief continues to resonate in
Pythagorean school.
modern science.
"If one proves the theorems, it’s not easy to find the proof; if one has found it, it’s usually easy to
understand."
NOETHER (1882 – 1935)
Emmy Noether was a German mathematician who Noether's Theorem, which links symmetries in
made groundbreaking contributions to abstract physics to conservation laws, is considered one
algebra and theoretical physics. Despite the gender of the most important mathematical theorems in
barriers of her time, Noether's work laid the the field of physics. In addition to her research,
foundation for modern algebra and helped develop she was a dedicated teacher and mentor,
the mathematical underpinnings of Einstein's theory influencing a generation of mathematicians.
of relativity.
"Mathematics is the queen of sciences and arithmetic is the queen of mathematics."
EULER
A Swiss mathematician and physicist, Euler was one Euler's work also extended
(1707 – 1783)
to applied
of the most prolific mathematicians of all time, with mathematics, where his contributions to
contributions spanning across various fields of mechanics, fluid dynamics, and astronomy have
mathematics, including calculus, graph theory, and had a lasting impact on science and
number theory. His ability to see deep connections engineering. His encyclopedic knowledge and
between different areas of mathematics led to prodigious output have made him a towering
numerous important theorems and formulas, such as figure in the history of mathematics.
Euler's identity and Euler's formula.
"Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all."
HYPATIA (c. 360 – 415 AD)
Hypatia was a Greek mathematician, Hypatia's work in mathematics and astronomy made her a
astronomer, and philosopher in Roman symbol of learning and science in a world dominated by
Egypt. She is one of the earliest female religious dogma. She was a skilled teacher, known for her
mathematicians recorded in history and was eloquence and intellect, and her murder by a Christian
the head of the Neoplatonic school in mob marked the decline of classical scholarship in
Alexandria. Alexandria.
"The laws of nature are but the mathematical thoughts of God."
EUCLID (c. 300 BC)
Often referred to as the "Father of Geometry," Euclid's systematic approach to geometry,
Euclid was an ancient Greek mathematician whose where he started with axioms and built up to
work laid the foundation for modern geometry. His more complex theorems, set a standard for
most famous work, Elements, is one of the most mathematical rigor. His work in optics and
influential books in the history of mathematics, number theory also showcased his diverse
serving as the main textbook for teaching mathematical interests and deep
mathematics until the late 19th or early 20th century. understanding.
"I counted everything. I counted the steps to the road, the steps up to church, the number of dishes
and silverware I washed... anything that could be counted, I did."
JOHNSON
Katherine Johnson was an African American mathematician
(1918 – 2020)
Her work on the trajectories for Project
whose calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the Mercury and the Apollo 11 flight to the moon
success of NASA's space missions. Born in White Sulphur earned her a place among the most revered
Springs, West Virginia, Johnson showed an extraordinary mathematicians in history. Johnson's
aptitude for mathematics from a young age. She graduated contributions were not just technical; her
summa cum laude from West Virginia State College at the presence at NASA during a time of racial
age of 18 and later became one of the first African and gender segregation paved the way for
American women to work as a NASA scientist. future generations of women and minorities
in STEM.
"That brain of mine is something more than merely mortal, as time will show."
LOVELACE (1815 – 1852) Lovelace's vision of computers as
more than mere calculating machines
An English mathematician and writer, Lovelace is often credited
was ahead of her time, as she
as the first computer programmer for her work on Charles
foresaw the potential for machines to
Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, the
manipulate symbols and create
Analytical Engine. Her notes on the engine include what is
music, art, and more. Her
recognized as the first algorithm intended to be processed by a
contributions have inspired
machine, making her a pioneer in the field of computing.
generations of women in STEM fields.
