Margaret Hayman facts for kids
Margaret Hayman (1923 – 1994) was an important British maths teacher and leader. She helped start the British Mathematical Olympiad, wrote maths books, and became the president of the Mathematical Association.
Contents
Her Life Story
Margaret Riley Crann was born on August 7, 1923. Her hometown was New Earswick in North Yorkshire. Her father was a chemist, and her mother was a teacher. Margaret grew up in a Quaker family.
She studied at Mill Mount School in York. Later, she went to Newnham College, Cambridge. There, she studied mathematics and geography. She earned a master's degree in 1944. For a year, she worked as a social worker. Then, she became a maths teacher. She taught at Putney High School in London. She eventually became the head of the maths department there.
In 1947, she married Walter Hayman, who was also a mathematician. They met at a Quaker meeting house in Cambridge. Walter shared a funny story about them falling in love. He said Margaret hit him with a celery stick for making a silly joke! Besides maths, Margaret also loved playing the violin.
She retired from Putney High School in 1985. She and her husband moved back to Yorkshire. Margaret Hayman passed away on July 26, 1994.
Her Work in Maths
Starting the British Mathematical Olympiad
In 1966, Margaret Hayman and her husband started the British Mathematical Olympiad. This is a big competition for young maths talents. Margaret worked hard to make it happen. She helped connect it with the International Mathematical Olympiad. She also fought to get money for the competition. She wanted the Mathematical Association to support it.
Writing Maths Books
Margaret taught special maths classes. These were for the Royal Institution. She also wrote several maths textbooks. These books helped many students learn.
- Multiple Choice Modern Mathematics (1969)
- Essential Mathematics (1971)
Leading the Mathematical Association
Margaret became the president of the Mathematical Association. This was for the 1974–1975 school year. She also joined the council of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. Margaret believed that maths lessons should be flexible. She wanted every student to get the best maths education for them.
