Marie Johanna Weiss facts for kids

Marie Johanna Weiss (born September 21, 1903 – died August 19, 1952) was an American mathematician. She was also a university professor and wrote textbooks. In 1927, she made history. She became the first woman to earn a PhD in mathematics from Stanford University.

Early Life and Education

Marie Weiss was born in Eugene, California. She was the youngest of three children. Her parents, Alice and Frederick Weiss, had moved from Germany. Marie went to public high schools in Stockton, California.

She then started studying at Stanford University in 1921. During her time there, she was a helper in a math class. She joined an honor society called Phi Beta Kappa. In 1925, she earned her first degree in mathematics. She graduated with high honors.

Advanced Studies and PhD

After Stanford, Marie went to Radcliffe College (which is now part of Harvard). There, she earned her master's degree in 1926. She then returned to Stanford with a special scholarship. She taught a subject called functional theory.

At Stanford, she worked on her PhD. A PhD is the highest university degree. It means you have done a lot of original research. Her main advisor was William Albert Manning. Her big research paper, called a dissertation, was about "Primitive Groups." She finished it in August 1927. She officially received her PhD in June 1928. This made her the first woman to get a math PhD from Stanford.

Teaching and Research Career

After her PhD, Marie received a special grant called a National Research Council Fellowship. This allowed her to study at the University of Chicago in 1928 and 1929.

From 1930 to 1936, she worked as an assistant professor. She taught in the math department at H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College. This college was part of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In 1934 and 1935, she took time off for more research. She was an Emmy Noether Fellow at Bryn Mawr College. There, she worked with other talented female mathematicians. One of them was the famous mathematician Emmy Noether.

After two years of teaching at Vassar College, she returned to Newcomb College. In 1938, she became a full professor there. From 1950 to 1952, she helped lead the Mathematical Association of America. This is a group for math teachers and researchers.

Later Life and Legacy

In early 1952, Marie Weiss became very sick. Her health worsened, and she passed away on August 19, 1952. She was 48 years old. She was buried in Stockton, California.

To honor her, the Marie J. Weiss Memorial Scholarship Fund was created. This fund helps students at Newcomb College.

Memberships

Marie Weiss was a member of several important groups for scientists and academics:

• American Mathematical Society
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Mathematical Association of America
• Sigma Delta Epsilon
• American Association of University Women
• American Association of University Professors
• Sigma Xi