Sophie Bryant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sophie Bryant
|
|
|---|---|
Sophie Bryant
|
|
| Born | 15 February 1850 Sandymount, Dublin
|
| Died | 14 August 1922 (aged 72) Chamonix, France
|
| Occupation | Mathematician and educator |
Sophie Willock Bryant (born February 15, 1850, in Sandymount, Dublin, and died August 14, 1922, in Chamonix, France) was an amazing Anglo-Irish woman. She was a talented mathematician, a dedicated educator, and a strong supporter of women's rights. She worked hard to make things better for others.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Sophie Willock was born in Dublin in 1850. Her father, Revd Dr William Willock, was a professor at Trinity College Dublin. Sophie learned a lot at home, mostly from her father.
When she was a teenager, her family moved to London in 1863. Her father became a professor at the University of London. Sophie went to Bedford College there. At 19, she married Dr William Hicks Bryant, a surgeon. Sadly, he passed away within a year.
A Career in Education
In 1875, Sophie Bryant became a teacher. Frances Mary Buss, a famous headmistress, invited her to teach at the North London Collegiate School. Sophie later became the headmistress of this school in 1895. She led the school until 1918.
Breaking Barriers in University
In 1878, the University of London started letting women take degree courses. Sophie was one of the first to join. In 1881, she earned a First Class Honours degree in Mental and Moral Sciences (which is like Philosophy today). This was a big achievement, as it was the first year a British university gave degrees to women. She also earned a second-class honours in mathematics.
In 1884, Sophie earned her Doctor of Science degree in Mental and Moral Sciences. She was the first woman in England to get a DSc!
Contributions to Mathematics
In 1882, Sophie Bryant became the third woman to join the London Mathematical Society. She was the first woman to be an active member, publishing her first paper in 1884. She also helped edit three books of Euclid's Elements of Geometry for schools. These books included Euclid's Elements of Geometry, books I and II (1897), Euclid's Elements of Geometry, books III and IV (1899), and Euclid's Elements of Geometry, books VI and IX (1901).
A Pioneer for Women
Sophie Bryant was a true pioneer for women's education. Besides being the first woman to get a DSc, she was also:
- One of the first three women chosen for a Royal Commission. This was the Bryce commission on Secondary Education in 1894–1895.
- One of the first three women appointed to the Senate of the University of London.
- One of the first women to receive an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin when they started giving degrees to women.
She also helped start the Cambridge Training College for Women, which is now Hughes Hall, Cambridge. It's even said that she was one of the first women to own a bicycle!
Other Interests and Activism
While living in London, Sophie was part of the London Ethical Society. This group believed in living a good life based on morals, not just religion. She was also very interested in Irish history and politics. She wrote books like Celtic Ireland (1889) and The Genius of the Gael (1913). She was a strong Irish nationalist, even though she came from a Protestant family. In 1914, she became president of the Irish National Literary Society. She supported women's suffrage (the right for women to vote), but she thought women should be better educated first.
Later Years and Legacy
Sophie Bryant loved being active and spending time outdoors. She enjoyed rowing, cycling, and swimming. She even climbed the famous Matterhorn mountain twice!
Sadly, she died in a hiking accident in the Alps in 1922 when she was 72 years old. Sophie Bryant left behind a big legacy. She helped open doors for women in education and showed that women could achieve great things in mathematics and beyond.
See also
In Spanish: Sophie Bryant para niños
