Florence Lewis facts for kids
Florence Parthenia Lewis (September 24, 1877 – March 10, 1964) was an American mathematician and astronomer. She was a brilliant woman who loved numbers and stars. She spent her life teaching and researching at a college.
Early Life and Education
Florence Lewis was born in Fort Scott, Kansas. She loved learning from a young age. She went to the University of Texas for her first degree. She finished it in 1897. Later, she earned a master's degree from Radcliffe College in 1906.
She continued her studies at Johns Hopkins University. There, she earned her Ph.D. This is the highest university degree you can get. She studied both astronomy and mathematics.
Career and Research
After finishing her education, Florence Lewis became a professor. She taught at Goucher College for her entire career. She started as an instructor in 1908. She retired in 1938 as an emeritus professor. This means she was honored for her long service.
Professor Lewis was famous for her research. She studied how shapes (geometry) could explain complex math ideas (algebraic invariants). Imagine using drawings to understand tricky number puzzles. That's a bit like what she did!
Honors and Awards
Florence Lewis was a respected member of the scientific community. She was part of the American Mathematical Society for many years. She even served on its council from 1919 to 1922. This shows her importance in the world of mathematics.
She was also a member of two important astronomy groups. These were the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Her involvement in these groups showed her passion for both math and stars.
