Virginia Ragsdale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Virginia Ragsdale
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Virginia Ragsdale
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| Born | December 13, 1870 |
| Died | June 4, 1945 (aged 74) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Guilford College Bryn Mawr College |
| Known for | Ragsdale conjecture |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions | Woman's College in Greensboro |
| Thesis | On the Arrangement of the Real Branches of Plane Algebraic Curves (1904) |
| Doctoral advisor | Charlotte Scott |
Virginia Ragsdale (born December 13, 1870 – died June 4, 1945) was an amazing teacher and a brilliant mathematician. She was an expert in something called algebraic curves. She is most famous for creating a big math puzzle known as the Ragsdale conjecture.
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Early Life and Home
Virginia Ragsdale was born on a farm in Jamestown, North Carolina. She was the third child of John Sinclair Ragsdale and Emily Jane Idol. Her father, John, was a teacher and later a state lawmaker.
Virginia wrote about her childhood home. She remembered a small bed she shared with her sister, Ida. Their house did not have many modern comforts. They had to carry water from a spring at the bottom of a hill. Milk and butter were also kept cool there.
Her family also did a lot of weaving. Her grandmother, mother, and aunt made blankets and fabric for clothes. They would sell these items to stores in Greensboro. In return, they would get things like silk and other goods.
Her Journey in Study
Virginia Ragsdale started at Salem Academy when she was a junior. She finished school in 1887 as the top student, also earning a special diploma in piano. After that, she went to Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She earned her science degree there in 1892.
Virginia was very active in student life. She helped start a Y.M.C.A. group on campus. She also helped make collegiate athletics bigger and better. She even helped create Guilford's Alumni Association.
Virginia won the first scholarship from Bryn Mawr College. This scholarship was for the best student at Guilford College. She studied physics at Bryn Mawr College and got another degree in 1896. She was chosen to be a European fellow for her class. This meant she could study abroad.
She waited a year before traveling. During that time, she worked at Bryn Mawr. She helped teach physics and studied math as a graduate student.
Studying Abroad
In 1897, Virginia traveled to the University of Göttingen in Germany. She went with two other students, including Emilie Martin. They attended lectures by famous mathematicians like Felix Klein and David Hilbert.
After returning to the United States, Virginia taught in Baltimore for three years. Then, she received another scholarship. This allowed her to go back to Bryn Mawr College. There, she finished her Ph.D. degree. Her advisor was Charlotte Scott.
Her Famous Math Work
Virginia's main research was called "On the Arrangement of the Real Branches of Plane Algebraic Curves." It was published in 1906. Her work was about one of Hilbert's famous math problems.
For this problem, Virginia created a special idea called the Ragsdale conjecture. This idea tried to figure out the maximum number of certain shapes in curves. Her conjecture was a big math challenge for 90 years. Later, other mathematicians found examples that showed it wasn't always true.
Her Career as a Teacher
After getting her Ph.D., Virginia Ragsdale taught in New York City. She worked at Dr. Sach's School for Girls until 1905. From 1906 to 1911, she was the head of the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr. She also helped Charlotte Scott with her work from 1908 to 1910.
In 1911, Virginia returned to North Carolina. She took a job teaching mathematics at Woman's College in Greensboro. This school is now known as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She stayed there for almost 20 years. From 1926 to 1928, she was the head of the math department. She encouraged the school to buy a telescope. She also pushed for the math department to teach statistics.
In 1928, she stopped teaching to take care of her mother. She also helped manage the family farm. After her mother passed away in 1934, Virginia built a house at Guilford College. She spent her last years there. She enjoyed gardening, working with furniture, and learning about her family's history. She also held book clubs and visited with students.
When Virginia Ragsdale died, she gave her house to Guilford College. It became a home for teachers, former students, and visitors. Since 1965, it has been the home of the college's president.
Fun Facts
- Virginia Ragsdale was a descendant of Godfrey Ragsdale. He was one of the first settlers in the Jamestown colony.
- In 1644, a Native American tribe attacked Jamestown. Godfrey and his wife were killed, but their baby son, Godfrey Jr., survived. Virginia was a descendant of that baby.
See also
In Spanish: Virginia Ragsdale para niños
