Mayme Logsdon facts for kids
Mayme Farmer Irwin Logsdon (born February 1, 1881 – died July 4, 1967) was an American mathematician. She was famous for her work in algebraic geometry, which is a complex part of mathematics, and for her ideas about how to teach math. She made history at the University of Chicago by becoming the first woman to get "tenure" in the math department. Tenure means she had a permanent job there, which was a big deal for women in science at that time.
Mayme Logsdon's Career
Mayme Logsdon started her career as a high school teacher from 1900 to 1911. After that, she went back to school to continue her own education. She earned three degrees in mathematics from the University of Chicago: a Ph.B. in 1913, an S.M. in 1915, and a Ph.D. in 1921. Her main teacher and guide for her Ph.D. was L. E. Dickson.
Before returning to the University of Chicago, she taught at Hastings College from 1913 to 1917. Then, she taught at Northwestern University from 1917 to 1919.
In 1921, Mayme Logsdon went back to her old university, the University of Chicago. She was the only female professor in the math department above the rank of instructor for a very long time. This changed only in 1982 when Karen Uhlenbeck became a math professor there. Logsdon stayed at the University of Chicago for most of her career, until 1946. She finished her teaching career at the University of Miami, retiring in 1961.
Her Students
During her time at the University of Chicago, Mayme Logsdon guided several students who were working on their Ph.D. degrees. Some of her students included Anna A. Stafford (Henriques), James Edward Case, Clyde Harvey Graves, and Frank Ayres, Jr.
Her Books
Mayme Logsdon also wrote two important textbooks for college students studying mathematics. These books helped explain math concepts clearly.
- Elementary Mathematical Analysis (Volume 1 published in 1932, Volume 2 in 1933)
- A Mathematician Explains (First edition in 1935, second edition in 1936)
Her Memberships
Mayme Logsdon was an active member of many important scientific and educational groups.
- She was a fellow of the International Education Board.
- She was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which promotes science across many fields.
- She joined the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America, both groups for mathematicians.
- She also served as a director for the American Association of University Women from 1929 to 1935. This organization supports women in higher education.
