Frances Ellen Baker facts for kids

Frances Ellen Baker (1902–1995) was an American mathematician. She became a professor and led the mathematics department at Vassar College. She was known for her work in numbers and for inspiring students.

Early Life and School

Frances Ellen Baker was born on December 19, 1902. Her hometown was Anna, Illinois. Her father, Richard Philip Baker, was a mathematician. He also made cool math models. Her mother, Katherine Riedelbauch Baker, taught music.

Frances was taught at home until high school. Then she went to a public school in Iowa City, Iowa. She was a very bright student. In 1919, she graduated as the top student in her class.

College Studies

Frances went to the University of Iowa. Her father was a math professor there. She studied both classic subjects and mathematics. In 1923, she graduated with high honors. She also joined Phi Beta Kappa, a special honor society.

She continued her studies at the University of Iowa. She worked with her father on math topics. In 1925, she earned her master's degree.

Becoming a Doctor of Math

After her master's, Frances started teaching. She led the math and physics department at Tabor College in 1925. But the college closed a few years later. She then taught briefly at another college.

In 1928, she got a teaching certificate. She then took more classes at the University of Chicago. She became a full-time student there in 1931. In 1934, she earned her Ph.D. This is the highest degree you can get.

Her Ph.D. paper was about a math problem. It was called A Contribution to the Waring Problem for Cubic Functions. This problem is about how numbers can be made from other numbers. Her professor, Leonard Eugene Dickson, guided her work.

Career at Vassar College

Frances Baker started teaching at Vassar College in 1935. She was an instructor there. Later that year, she moved to Mount Holyoke College as an assistant professor.

In 1942, Frances returned to Vassar College. Her sister, Gladys Elizabeth Baker, was also a professor there. Frances became an associate professor of mathematics. She was promoted to a full professor in 1951.

Leading the Department

Frances Baker led the mathematics department at Vassar. She was the chair from 1948 to 1950. She served again from 1951 to 1952. She was very involved with students who excelled in math. She also mentored student honor societies.

She retired from Vassar College in 1968. She was given the title of professor emerita. This means she kept her professor title after retiring.

Later Years

After retiring, Frances moved to Sun City, Arizona. She joined her sister there. Frances Ellen Baker passed away on April 4, 1995. She was 92 years old.

Legacy

Frances Baker's doctoral hood is kept at the National Museum of American History. A doctoral hood is part of the special robe worn at graduation. The museum also has photos of her. This shows her importance in American history and mathematics.