Evelyn Alpern

American mathematician

Evelyn Alpern in 1926

Evelyn Alpern (born 1903) was an American mathematician known for her contributions to algebra and mathematical logic. She was one of the pioneering women in the field of mathematics during the early 20th century, a time when the discipline was predominantly male-dominated.

Early Life and Education

Evelyn Alpern was born in 1903 in New York City. From a young age, she exhibited a strong aptitude for mathematics, which was encouraged by her family. She attended Hunter College, where she earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics. Her academic excellence earned her a scholarship to pursue graduate studies at Columbia University.

At Columbia, Alpern studied under the guidance of prominent mathematicians of the time. She completed her Ph.D. in 1928, with a dissertation focused on group theory, a branch of mathematics that studies the algebraic structures known as groups.

Career

After completing her doctorate, Alpern began her career as a lecturer at Barnard College, where she taught mathematics to undergraduate students. Her teaching style was noted for its clarity and rigor, and she quickly became a respected figure among her peers and students.

In the 1930s, Alpern joined the faculty at New York University, where she continued her research in algebra and mathematical logic. Her work during this period contributed to the development of model theory, a branch of mathematical logic that deals with the relationship between formal languages and their interpretations, or models.

Research Contributions

Evelyn Alpern's research primarily focused on algebraic structures and their applications in logic. She published several papers on the topic, which were well-received in the mathematical community. Her work laid the groundwork for future developments in model theory and influenced many subsequent researchers in the field.

Alpern was also interested in the history of mathematics and wrote extensively on the contributions of women to the discipline. She was an advocate for increasing the representation of women in mathematics and worked to support young female mathematicians throughout her career.

Later Life and Legacy

Evelyn Alpern retired from active teaching in the late 1960s but remained involved in the mathematical community through her writing and mentorship. She passed away in 1985, leaving behind a legacy of scholarly contributions and a commitment to advancing the role of women in mathematics.

Her work continues to be recognized and celebrated for its impact on the field of mathematics and for paving the way for future generations of women mathematicians.

Related Pages

• Women in mathematics
• History of mathematics
• Model theory
• Group theory