Agnes Scott College

Elizabeth Stephansen

Elizabeth Stephansen

March 10, 1872 - February 23, 1961


Mary Ann Elizabeth Stephansen received her Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Zurich in 1902. She was the first woman from Norway to receive a doctoral degree in any subject. Her thesis area was in partial differential equations. It was not until 1971 that another Norwegian woman, Idun Reiten, obtained a doctorate in mathematics. Stephansen taught at the Norwegian Agricultural College from 1906 until her retirement in 1937. She began as an assistant in physics and mathematics, then was appointed to a newly created docent position in mathematics in 1921. She published four mathematical research papers on partial differential equations and difference equations.

A extensive biography of Elizabeth Stephansen was written by Professor Kari Hag and Peter Lindqvist. This also includes description of her mathematical work.

References

  1. Hag, Kari and Peter Lindqvist. "Elizabeth Stephansen: A pioneer," http://www.ntnu.no/ansatte/kari.hag (Viewable at NoExperienceNecessaryBook)
  2. "Mary Ann Elizabeth Stephansen," International Women in Science, Catherine Haines and Helen Stevens, Editors, ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, California, 2001, pp296-298.
  3. "Elizabeth Stephansen," Norwegian Biographical Encyclopedia (in Norwegian).
  4. Author Profile at zbMath
  5. Biography at the MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive