Hypatia

Hypatia, ranking second on our list of the most famous mathematicians of all time, was a philosopher and mathematician who resided in Alexandria, Egypt, which was a part of the Roman Empire at the time. She was an influential philosopher at Alexandria, where she taught astronomy and philosophy to many people.

Although Pandrosion - another female mathematician - came before her, Hypatia is the very first female mathematician with a well-documented life. Hypatia was known in her own day as an outstanding educator and sage advisor. She also wrote a critique on the Apollonius of Perga's dissertation on conics, which, unfortunately, has been lost. According to the title of her dad Theon's comments on Book III of the Almagest, many contemporary academics also assume that Hypatia might have revised the remaining text of Ptolemy's Almagest.

According to ancient records, Hypatia was admired by both pagans and Christians, and she had considerable influence among the political elite of Alexandria. Hypatia even counseled Orestes, the Roman governor of Alexandria - who'd been embroiled in a political dispute with Cyril, the archbishop of Alexandria - at the end of her life. Sadly, in March 415 A.D, a crowd of Christians headed by a lector called Peter killed her when rumors circulated that she had prevented Orestes from reuniting with Cyril.

Born: c. 350–370 AD

Age: 45-65

Notable ideas: Astrolabes, Hydrometers