Ruth Stokes facts for kids

Stokes in 1957

Ruth Wyckliffe Stokes (born October 12, 1890 or 1891 – died August 27, 1968) was an amazing American woman. She was a talented mathematician, a cryptologist (someone who studies secret codes), and an astronomer (someone who studies stars and space).

Ruth Stokes made history at Duke University. She was the very first person to earn a high-level degree called a doctorate in mathematics there. She also helped create new ideas in a field called linear programming. Plus, she started a special math magazine called the Pi Mu Epsilon journal.

Early Life and School Days

Ruth Stokes was born in a small town called Mountville, South Carolina. This was on October 12, 1890 or 1891. She was one of six children in her family. Her dad, William Henry Stokes, was a doctor and a farmer.

Ruth loved to learn. In 1911, she earned her first degree from Winthrop Normal and Industrial College. This college was just for women back then. After graduating, she started teaching math at a high school.

She became a school principal in Rock Hill, South Carolina. This was from 1913 to 1916. Then, she led the math department at Synodical College in Fulton, Missouri. This was from 1916 to 1917. She also taught in other places in South Carolina. During this time, she kept studying math. She took classes by mail from big universities. These included Columbia University and the University of Chicago.

Advanced Math Studies

In 1922, Ruth went back to college to study more. She went to Vanderbilt University. In 1923, she earned her master's degree in math. Her special project was about the history of a math rule. This rule is called the fundamental theorem of algebra.

After this, she taught at Winthrop College again. She also took summer classes at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In 1928, she started working on her highest degree. This was her Ph.D. at Duke University.

She finished her Ph.D. in 1931. Her teacher was Joseph Miller Thomas. Ruth Stokes became the first person to get a doctorate in math from Duke. Her special paper was about solving math problems. These problems involved something called "linear inequalities." This was new and important work in linear programming.

Career and Later Years

Ruth thought her teaching job at Winthrop would be waiting for her. She had an agreement with the college president. But he passed away in 1928. The new president did not keep the promise.

So, Ruth stayed at Duke for another year. She worked as an instructor. From 1932 to 1935, she taught math. This was at North Texas State Teachers College. Today, it is called the University of North Texas. After that, she became the head of math. This was at Mitchell Community College in Statesville, North Carolina.

Return to Winthrop

In 1936, Ruth Stokes went back to Winthrop College. She became a professor there. She taught both astronomy and mathematics. Later, she became the head of the math department.

She loved astronomy. She even went to Florida to watch a solar eclipse of April 7, 1940. This is when the Moon blocks the Sun.

During World War II, she helped her country. In 1942, she started a program in cryptology. This is the study of secret codes. She also taught pilots how to navigate. She taught them about stars and how to fly. These pilots were in the United States Army Air Corps. While at Winthrop, she also led important math groups.

Moving On and Retirement

Ruth often disagreed with the leaders at Winthrop College. So, in 1946, she moved to Syracuse University. She became a math and education professor there. In 1953, she became an associate professor.

At Syracuse, she started something new. In 1949, she became the first editor of the Pi Mu Epsilon journal. This was a math magazine. She also showed her math models at a big meeting. This was the International Congress of Mathematicians in 1950.

She retired from Syracuse in 1959. She was an associate professor emerita. This means she kept her title after retiring. She taught for one more year. This was at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia.

After retiring, Ruth Stokes went back home. She lived in Mountville, South Carolina. She passed away on August 27, 1968.

Recognition and Awards

Ruth Stokes was a very respected scientist. In 1950, she was named a Fellow. This was by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This is a big honor for scientists.