Throughout the course of history, mathematicians of diverse backgrounds and academic interests have contributed to much of math’s technological evolution on a national- and even global- scale.
Math’s slow-burn evolution has unfolded in a multitude of countries. As communication techniques advanced to better spread learned knowledge, math has encountered many curious enough to explore its theoretical & experimental purposes.
We know that the origins of math were concocted in the present-day Middle East, what was once known as Mesopotamia. As civilization flourished, so did math as an educational outlet for those who could afford to be taught it. Thankfully, learning math has become much more common since then and it’s only benefited humankind.
Alongside all the historically influential mathematicians & scientists of Europe and Asia, many United States mathematicians have made history themselves. America is a relatively young country, yet its growth has coincided with many technological and cultural revolutions.
Only so many are brought to global infamy, but that doesn’t deprive any of the contributors of their honor and recognition. Compiled below are 10 United States mathematicians who have provided monumental additions to the world of math that transcends our success as humans.
Katherine Johnson (1918-2020): She was one of three black students to initially integrate into a graduate program at WVU, but that’s just one of her many successes. After segregation was banned in 1958, Katherine became a pivotal member of the organization now known as NASA. Johnson was most known for her empowering contributions towards orbital analysis. She formulated and analyzed a multitude of flight paths; she even calculated the flight path for Freedom 7, the spacecraft that sent the first US astronaut into space!
Grace Hopper (1906-1992): Hopper was a true pioneer in computer science! Not only was she a college professor and prominent mathematician, but a rear admiral in the US Navy. She balanced her role as a Reservist while developing vital technological advancements such as the first electronic commercial computer, UNIVAC I. Her biggest contribution to the Navy occurred after she came out of her first retirement to help standardize the navy’s computer languages!
David Blackwell (1919-2010): As a statistician as well as a mathematician, Blackwell contributed to many theories! He also instructed at numerous Black colleges throughout the country, one of the most well-known ones being Howard University. Aside from his educational contributions, Blackwell has theories named after his work: the Blackwell renewal theorem (in engineering) and the Rao-Blackwell Theorem (in statistics). He broke many racial barriers throughout his career; in 1965 he became the first Black member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Marjorie Lee Brown (1914-1979): Brown was one of many influential black women in mathematics; she was one of the first two black women to receive a Ph.D. in math! She spent most of her career teaching at what’s now known as North Carolina Central University. She ended up winning a grant from IBM subsequently following a proposal she authored. Browne was able to provide the first digital computer center of its kind, most important at a minority college!
Augustin Banyaga (1947-): Banyaga is not only Rwandan-born but the first person from Rwanda to acquire a Mathematics degree! He went on to teach at many well-renowned institutions but chose to remain at Pennsylvania State University in 1984. Banyaga remains deeply in touch with his roots as an Associate Editor of a journal known as Afrika Matematica; this journal brings global research to the country of Africa!
Dorothy Johnson Vaughn (1910-2008): Much like Johnson, Dorothy was also a huge contributor to NASA! Vaughn was truly one of the first pioneers in the organization’s diversity initiatives, being that she was one of the first black supervisors there. She left her high school math teaching position during WWII to aid in aeronautical research. She collaborated with other women at NASA to produce a handbook for algebraic equations specifically used to assess machinery. Vaughn was placed in positions of leadership ever since!
Elbert Frank Cox (1865-1969): Cox took an interest in teaching math, so he taught high school until he received the opportunity to attain his graduate degree. In 1925, Cox became the first Black person to receive a Ph.D. in Mathematics– in the entire WORLD. Cox went on to teach as a professor for another forty years; some say he helped the creation of the Ph.D. program at Howard while he taught there! He’s inspired many Black mathematicians throughout history with his ground-breaking presence.
Wealthy Babcock (1895-1990): Her first name emphasizes the wealth of mathematical contribution she produced throughout her lifetime. Babcock received a Ph.D. at the University of Kansas, her dissertation titled “On the Geometry Associated with Certain Determinants with Linear Elements”. Even after receiving her degree, Babcock remained for another 30 years as a professor, Mathematics department’s librarian, and an Athletics department advocate.
Jon Barwise (1942-2000): His background in math AND philosophy helped pave the way for conceptualizing mathematical logic’s usage and understanding! Barwise even collaborated with a colleague at Stanford to write a textbook titled “Language, Proof, & Logic”; this book was especially helpful in illustrating aspects of logical math problems. Whilst at Stanford, Barwise was the first Director of an immersive program called the Symbolic Systems Program. It was designed to contrive computation with logic, cognition, even the use of language.
These astounding, awe-inspiring mathematicians serve as amazing reminders that learning never ceases to exist. Not only did these mathematicians contribute intellectually and academically, but culturally. It’s important to note that many of these names listed above were a part of minority groups, yet that didn’t stop them from pursuing their passions and dreams. The world of math, as well as the unique individuals that materialize it, lays a foundation for many of the technology, theory, and education we experience nationally daily.
Eric M Earle is fascinated by math history. He is the founder of mathtutoraustin.com, seattlemathtutors.com, & mathtutordenver.com.