Hypatia (jan 1, 350 – jan 1, 415)

Description:

Hypatia (350/370-415 AD), Astronomer, Mathematician, and Philosopher

Life:
Growing up in the intellectual and cultural epicenter of Alexandria, Egypt with a scholar for a father (one of the last members of the Library of Alexandria), she was well educated and carried a deep respect for Greek values.

Contributions to Science:
She became accomplished in mathematics and astronomy from a young age and made many contributions to geometry and number theory. She invented a new version of the hydrometer, established theories on the solar system, and was one of Alexandria’s first female teachers. She also became an expert in platonic philosophy (the view that there exist such things as abstract objects — where an abstract object is an object that does not exist in space or time and which is therefore entirely non-physical and non-mental), and people traveled from afar to hear her speak.

Death:
Unfortunately Alexandria was also home to violent Jewish and Christian religious tensions. Her teachings at the time were considered “pagan” and she became targeted and was ultimately killed in a gruesome death by a Christian mob in 415 AD.

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