Hypatia Biography

Hypatia

Hypatia was the first well-known female mathematician. The daughter of the mathematician Theon, she was educated by her father and became the head of a school in Alexandria, Egypt. It is thought that she collaborated in her father’s mathematical research as well as writing her own commentaries on philosophy and astronomy.

Some historians believe that Hypatia was murdered by a Christian mob under the direction of Cyril, the Archbishop of Alexandria. They were thought to have felt threatened by the depth of Hypatia's learning in science, mathematics, and philosophy.