On April 1, 1776, Sophie Germain was born into a relatively affluent family in Paris, France. Sophie was the middle child of three sisters who, like most children of that era, remained at home during the French Revolution due to the political turmoil. In her father’s library, she discovered a book on the history of mathematics that completely captivated her. She was particularly inspired by a story about the Greek mathematician Archimedes, who was so engrossed in his work that he failed to notice Roman soldiers invading his city.
Despite it being uncommon for women at the time, Sophie resolved to pursue mathematics. Her parents disapproved of this interest and attempted to discourage her by removing her candles and warm clothing when she studied late into the night. Undeterred, Sophie continued her studies through the cold Parisian nights, wrapped in quilts and working by the light of candles she had hidden away.
At 18, Sophie began studying from lecture notes obtained from the École Polytechnique, an institution that did not admit women. She submitted her work under the pseudonym Monsieur Le Blanc and established correspondence with the renowned mathematician Joseph-Louis Lagrange. Impressed by her work, Lagrange became her mentor, believing she was a man.
Sophie truly distinguished herself in the field of number theory. She eagerly participated in a prestigious competition to explain a pattern identified by the mathematician Gauss—a challenging problem that had eluded many, but Sophie approached it with determination.
Still using her male pseudonym, Sophie began corresponding with Gauss about the problem. She even used her connections to ensure Gauss’s safety during the Napoleonic wars. When Gauss discovered that Monsieur Le Blanc was actually a woman, he was profoundly impressed, stating, “She has overcome more obstacles than men to reach this point, and possesses the most noble courage, extraordinary talent, and superior genius.”
In 1816, Sophie became the first woman to win a prestigious prize from the French Academy of Sciences for her work on elasticity. Despite this achievement, she was still barred from attending Academy sessions and could only discuss her research in private settings.
Tragically, Sophie died of breast cancer in 1831 at just 55 years of age. It was only after her death that her contributions began to receive proper recognition. In France, a street and a school were named after her, and the French Academy of Sciences established a mathematics prize in her honor. Despite all the barriers she faced, Sophie Germain is now remembered as a pioneer in mathematics. Who knew math could be so dramatic?