Ethel Raybould facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ethel Raybould
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Raybould as a child (1911 photo)
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| Born | 31 July 1899 |
| Died | 17 January 1987 (aged 87) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematician |
Ethel Harriet Raybould (1899–1987) was a very important Australian mathematician. She was the first woman to teach mathematics at the University of Queensland. She taught there from 1928 to 1955.
Ethel was also incredibly generous. When she passed away, she left almost $1 million to the University. This money helped create special scholarships, awards, and even a new building for teaching.
Early Life and Education
Ethel Harriet Raybould was born in Brisbane, Queensland, on July 31, 1899. She grew up in a part of Brisbane called Paddington.
Even when she was a student at Petrie Terrace State School, her teachers noticed how smart and hardworking she was. At just 14 years old, she became a "Pupil-Teacher." This meant she taught younger students while still finishing her own high school studies.
Ethel worked as an Assistant Teacher in domestic science. She taught at several schools, including Kangaroo Point (Girls) School and Rockhampton High. She also taught at the Central Technical College, which is now known as QUT. While teaching domestic science during the day, she would attend night classes there to study physics.
In 1921, Ethel won a special scholarship for teachers to attend the University of Queensland. She studied mathematics part-time while still teaching domestic science. In 1927, she took a year off from teaching to focus on her studies. She earned top honors in mathematics that year.
Ethel was awarded the University Gold Medal in 1927. This was a huge achievement, as she was only the tenth person ever to receive this prestigious award.
Career as a Mathematician
In 1928, Ethel Raybould began working at the University of Queensland. She was a temporary lecturer in pure mathematics. In 1931, she became a permanent lecturer in the Mathematics Department. At that time, very few women held such positions at the university.
She earned her Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in 1931. Her master's paper was about a complex math topic called "The Transfinite and its Significance in Analysis."
From 1937 to 1939, Ethel continued her studies at Columbia University in the United States. After her postgraduate studies, she returned to the University of Queensland. She worked as a Lecturer and later became a Senior Lecturer in 1951. She retired from teaching in 1955.
Ethel Raybould passed away in 1987. She left her entire estate to the University of Queensland, showing her deep dedication to education.
Lasting Impact
Ethel Raybould's generosity created a lasting legacy at the University of Queensland. In 1988, the Ethel Harriet Raybould Trust was set up using the money she left.
This trust provides two important fellowships:
- Raybould Tutorial Fellowship: This helps people work in a university math department.
- Raybould Visiting Fellowship: This supports projects that help improve senior high school mathematics.
A special prize is also given out each year in her name to outstanding students.
Part of Ethel's gift helped build the Raybould lecture theatre. This teaching facility opened in 1990. Another part of her donation went to the Dorothy Hill Engineering and Sciences Library, which is located right next to the lecture theatre. Her contributions continue to support students and learning in mathematics and science today.
