Clara Latimer Bacon facts for kids

Dr. Clara Latimer Bacon was a super smart mathematician. She taught math at Goucher College for many years. Clara Bacon made history by being the very first woman to earn a PhD in math from Johns Hopkins University. She was born on August 13, 1866, and passed away on April 14, 1948.

Early Life and Education

Clara Latimer Bacon was born in Knox, Illinois. She was the oldest of her parents' four children. She also had four half-siblings. Clara went to North Abingdon High School.

She started her college journey at Hedding Collegiate Seminary. In 1886, she earned her first bachelor's degree from Hedding College. She then earned a second bachelor's degree from Wellesley College in 1890.

Becoming a Teacher

After college, Clara Bacon became a teacher. She taught at a private school in Litchfield, Kentucky. She also taught at three other schools for seven years.

While teaching full-time, she kept studying! She worked on her master's degree at the University of Chicago. She studied during six summers and finished her big research paper, called a thesis, in 1903. She officially graduated in September 1904.

Making History at Johns Hopkins

For a long time, women were not officially allowed to study at Johns Hopkins University. But in 1907, that changed! Women were finally admitted. Clara Bacon applied right away.

She earned her PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 1911. A PhD is the highest degree you can get from a university. She was one of only four women to get a PhD from the university that year. It was the first time women could get PhDs without special permission.

Her Research

At Johns Hopkins, Clara Bacon studied with a famous geometer named Frank Morley. He helped her with her PhD research. Her thesis was about planar geometry, which is a type of geometry that deals with flat shapes and figures.

Her important research was published in the American Journal of Mathematics in 1913.

Professor at Goucher College

Clara Bacon started teaching at the Woman's College of Baltimore in 1897. This college is now known as Goucher College in Maryland, USA. Dr. John Franklin Goucher invited her to teach there.

She became an associate professor in 1905. Then, in 1914, she became a full professor. She taught at Goucher College until 1934. After that, she was named an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics. This means she was honored for her long and important work.

Professional Life and Legacy

Clara Bacon was a member of important math groups. These included the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America. She was also the president of the Baltimore chapter of the American Association of University Professors. She supported the League of Women Voters, which works to help women vote.

To honor her, a student dorm at Goucher College is named Bacon House. Clara Latimer Bacon passed away on April 14, 1948, when she was 81 years old.