How Sophie Germain overcame social barriers to become a pioneer in number theory.
Sophie Germain was born in Paris in 1776. At that time, women were not allowed to attend universities or participate in scientific societies. However, that did not stop Sophie from pursuing her passion for mathematics.
Sophie was a prodigious student and taught herself math by accessing her father’s library. She then corresponded with some great mathematicians of her time, including Adrien-Marie Legendre.
However, her gender posed a challenge when Legendre dismissed her letters because he thought they were from a man. Rather than giving up, Sophie disguised herself as a man in her letters and continued her correspondence with Legendre for many years.
Sophie’s work focused on number theory, a branch of mathematics that deals with whole numbers, especially prime numbers. Her contributions to the field included important insights into Fermat’s Last Theorem, a problem that had been unsolved for over 200 years. She also did extensive research on elasticity theory and wrote a memoir on the subject that won a prize from the French Academy of Sciences in 1816.
Sophie’s accomplishments were all the more remarkable considering the barriers she faced as a woman. She was unable to attend university or present her work in public, and her correspondence had to be conducted secretly due to social expectations.
Despite these challenges, Sophie Germain persevered and made significant contributions to the field of mathematics. Her legacy continues to inspire young women to pursue their passions, regardless of any social barriers they may face.
If you are interested in learning more about Sophie Germain and her contributions to mathematics, there are several books and online resources available. Her story serves as proof that determination and passion can overcome even the strongest social barriers.
