Mayme Farmer Irwin Logsdon (February 1, 1881–July 4, 1967) Biography on p.372-375 of th
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algebraic geometry Algebraic geometry is a branch of mathematics, classically studying zeros of multivariate polynomials. Modern algebraic geometry is based on the use of abstract algebraic techniques, mainly from commutative algebra, for solving geometrical ...

and mathematics education. She was the first woman to receive tenure in the University of Chicago mathematics department.

Career

Logsdon taught at a high school from 1900 to 1911 before returning school herself. She earned a Ph.B., S.M., and Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Chicago in 1913, 1915, and 1921 respectively. Her doctoral advisor was

L. E. Dickson Leonard Eugene Dickson (January 22, 1874 – January 17, 1954) was an American mathematician. He was one of the first American researchers in abstract algebra, in particular the theory of finite fields and classical groups, and is also remem ...

. She taught at Hastings College from 1913 to 1917 and at Northwestern University from 1917 to 1919. She then returned to her alma mater in 1921 where she was the only female regular faculty member above the rank of instructor until 1982 when Karen Uhlenbeck was appointed professor of mathematics. Logsdon remained at the University of Chicago for a large portion of her career, until 1946, when Univ. of Chicago forced her to retire at 65 years old. She continued her career by teaching another 15 years at University of Miami, retiring in 1961. Phd students at the University of Chicago include Anna A. Stafford (Henriques), James Edward Case, Clyde Harvey Graves, and Frank Ayres, Jr. She wrote two texts ''Elementary Mathematical Analysis'' (1932 volume 1 and 1933 volume 2) and ''A Mathematician Explains'' (1st edition 1935; 2nd edition 1936)Both the 1935 edition and the 1936 edition contain a 13-page chapter 8 entitled ''Mathematical Interpretation of Geometric and Physical Phenomena'' by Gilbert Ames Bliss. The 1936 edition contains a 15-page chapter 9 entitled ''Mathematics and Life''. See and both for undergraduate mathematics. Logsdon was a fellow of the International Education Board, a member of the

American Association for the Advancement of Science The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is an American international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific respons ...

, the American Mathematical Society, the

Mathematical Association of America The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) is a professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level. Members include university, college, and high school teachers; graduate and undergraduate students; pure a ...

, and the director of the

American Association of University Women The American Association of University Women (AAUW), officially founded in 1881, is a non-profit organization that advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. The organization has a nationwide network of 170,000 ...

(1929-1935).

References

1881 births 1967 deaths American women mathematicians 20th-century American mathematicians University of Chicago alumni Hastings College faculty Northwestern University faculty University of Miami faculty Fellows of the American Mathematical Society 20th-century women mathematicians 20th-century American women University of Chicago faculty {{US-mathematician-stub