Gillie Larew facts for kids
Gillie Aldah Larew (born July 28, 1882 – died January 2, 1977) was an important American mathematician. She was the first student from Randolph–Macon Woman's College to become a full professor there. Later, she even became the dean of the college.
Early Life and Education
Gillie Larew was born on July 28, 1882. Her family lived in Pulaski County, Virginia. Her father, Captain I. H. Larew, was a farmer and a lawyer.
Gillie was first taught at home. Then, she went to Randolph–Macon Woman's College. She studied there from 1899 to 1903.
In 1906, she started studying for a master's degree in mathematics. She went to the University of Chicago during her summer breaks. She finished her master's degree in 1911. From 1914 to 1916, she studied there again for her doctorate (PhD). Her PhD paper was about a math topic called the calculus of variations. Her supervisor was Gilbert Ames Bliss. Her work was one of the first to use the term "Lagrange multipliers" for a math concept.
Career and Later Life
After finishing her studies at Randolph–Macon in 1903, Gillie Larew started teaching there. She became an adjunct professor in 1909. After getting her doctorate, she became an associate professor. In 1921, she was promoted to full professor. She was the first former student of Randolph–Macon to reach this high position.
In 1929–1930, she took a year off. She traveled to Europe to study with Constantin Carathéodory, a famous mathematician. In 1936, she became the head of the mathematics department. In 1950, she was chosen to be the dean of the college. She served as dean until she retired in 1953.
Gillie Larew passed away on January 2, 1977. She died in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Legacy
In 1948, the former students of Randolph–Macon created a special fund. This fund was used to create a professorship in her honor. It was called the Gillie A. Larew chair of mathematics. This was to honor her as "Randolph–Macon's most valuable alumna."
Today, Randolph College gives out an award every year. It is called the Gillie A. Larew Distinguished Teaching Award. It is the oldest award for teachers at the college.
A painting of Gillie Larew was made in 1986. It was painted by Winslow Williams. The painting is now part of the collection at the Maier Museum at Randolph College.
