Black History month is a time to celebrate and honor generations of African American men and women and their achievements throughout history. There have been many influential African American Mathematicians who helped pave the road for math today! Here are some influential mathematicians everyone should know about:
Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806)
Banneker was a self-educated man in mathematics and astrology. Banneker is best known for building America’s first ever clock! He was then able to predict a solar and lunar eclipse using his deep understanding of astronomy and trigonometry.
Elbert Frank Cox (1895-1969)
Elbert Frank Cox was the first ever African American to earn a Ph.D in Mathematics in the entire world! He soon became a professor at Howard University and West Virginia State University for 40 years.
Dudley Weldon Woodard (1881-1965)
Dudley Weldon Woodard was the second African American in history to earn a Ph.D in Mathematics. Woodard went on to become a professor for 20 years and established a graduate program in mathematics at Howard University.
Martha Euphemia Lofton Haynes (1890–1980)
Martha Euphemia Lofton Haynes was the first African American woman in history to earn a Ph.D in Mathematics. Martha went on to being the first woman to chair the Washington DC school board. Martha played an instrumental role in changing the face of the education system for Black students.
Katherine Johnson (1918-2020)
Katherine had a passion for mathematics at a young age. She skipped many grades and began college at the age of 13! After earning her doctorate, she joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics’ West Area Computing group, otherwise known as human computers. In 1962, she provided the orbital entry and launch window calculations that enabled John Glenn’s orbit around the moon. We may not have reached the moon as soon as we did if it were not for Katherine Johnson.
Jesse Ernest Wilkins Jr. (1923-2011)
Jesse Ernest Wilkins Jr. was not just a mathematician but also a mechanical engineer and nuclear scientist. He became the youngest student to ever attend the University of Chicago at the age of 13. Wilkins worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II, wrote several scientific papers, and made many scientific advancements for 70 years!
These are just a few of the amazing people who not only shaped our math world but our cultural world as well.
