The pioneering women mathematicians (Q792303)

[Reprinted from Math. Chron. 10, 31-56 (1981; Zbl 0464.01005).] - Many articles giving short biographies of several important women mathematicians of the past exist, most covering basically the same anecdotes with basically the same supporting quotations. At first glance, this appeared to be merely another. However, it turns out to be better than the others in several ways. The author was careful and scholarly, citing sources for each assertion and therefore omitting the false to doubtful-at-best bits that are usually repeated thoughtlessly and without checking. Less-told, but verifiable and equally interesting, items are also found here, however. Mathematicians considered are Hypatia, du Châtelet, Agnesi, Germain, Somerville, and, especially well done, Lovelace, the principle pre-Kovalevskaya women who achieved ''some distinction'' as mathematicians during their lives. (Of course there were many others who studied mathematics, including some who contributed to the subject, but these six are especially significant.)