African American Mathematicians part 2

 

Today, I’ll be sharing more information on African American Mathematicians both male and female. Each and everyone of these mathematicians made an impact on their field and on history.  For instance, Martha Euphremia Lofton Haynes gained the title of the first african american woman to receive a Phd in mathematics from the Catholic University of America in 1943. Although christened Martha, she preferred using Euphemia.  Her father was a prominent dentist in Washington D.C and her mother although a stay at home mother, was actively involved in the Catholic Church.

After graduating from high school in 1909, she obtained her B.S. in mathematics four years later.  In 1917 she married Harold Haynes who eventually became superintendent of the african american school district in Washington, D.C.  Eventually she went to the University of Chicago to get her Master’s degree in Education with a significant number of classes in mathematics.  She went on to obtain her Phd in Mathematics in 1943.  She spent 47 years teaching in Washington D.C and taught everything from first grade to high school.  In addition to being the first African American woman to receive a Phd in mathematics, she was also the first woman to chair the District of Columbia School Board.  

During her lifetime, she also established the department of mathematics at Mines teacher college where she taught mathematics.  In addition, she taught mathematics at the District of Columbia Teachers College and occasionally taught at Howard University.  When she died, she left $700,000 to the Catholic University to support a Chair of Education and provide monies for a student loan program for the School of Education.

Then there was Walter Richard Talbet who was born in 1909 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  After graduating from high school, Walter attended the University of Pittsburgh in 1927 where he began studying physics.  Unfortunately, the depression hit so in order to afford college, Walter worked several part time jobs.  This meant he could not continue studying physics so he changed his major to mathematics.

He received his Bachelor of Science in mathematics in 1931 and continued studying at the University of Pittsburgh where he received his Phd in 1934.  Upon graduation, he accepted a staff position at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.  He began as an assistant professor of mathematics but over time became a full professor, then Dean of Men and finally the head of the mathematics department in 1944.

He remained at Lincoln University until 1963 when he accepted the position as head of the mathematics department at Morgan State University till he retired and passed away the day after Christmas in 1977.  It is said that Dr. Talbot improved the ability of African Americans to study mathematics.  

As you can see both people went on to great careers in education.  Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day.