About
Sofia Kovalevskaya (1850-1891) was a Russian mathematician and writer. She earned her doctorate in mathematics from the University of Göttingen in 1874, becoming the first woman in modern times to receive this degree. She taught at Stockholm University, where she became the first woman full professor of mathematics in 1889. Her work focused on partial differential equations, celestial mechanics, and the rotation of solid bodies. She won the Bordin Prize from the French Academy of Sciences in 1888. She also wrote literary works, including novels and her memoirs.
* 1850-01-15 — † 1891-02-10
Major works
- On the Rotation of a Solid Body about a Fixed Point (1888)scientific memoir
- Memories of Childhood (1890)autobiography
Key milestones
- 1874Earned her doctorate from the University of Göttingen, becoming the first woman in modern times to receive a doctorate in mathematics.
- 1889Appointed full professor at Stockholm University, becoming the first woman in the world to hold such a position in mathematics.
- 1888Received the Bordin Prize from the French Academy of Sciences for her memoir on the rotation of a solid body.
Themes
Partial differential equationsCelestial mechanicsRotation of solid bodiesWomen in scienceLiterature and autobiography
Sources: mpg.de · su.se · mathunion.org