Photo of Dame Mary Lucy Cartwright

Dame Mary Lucy Cartwright

1900 - 1992
Mathematics
UK British

Personal Information

Born: 1900

Died: 1992

Country of Birth: UK

Nationality: British

Ethnicity: White

Education

St. Hugh's College 1st Class Degree in Mathematics 1923; Oxford University PhD Mathematics 1930

"TBD"

— Dame Mary Lucy Cartwright

Professional Life

Field of Study: Mathematics

Institution/Corporation: Girton; Oxford

Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degrees: Edinburgh University; Leeds University; Hull University; Wales University; Oxford University; Brown University; Member: Royal Society (1947) Cambridge Association of University Women, Mathematical Association, London Mathematical Society, Honorary Fellow The Royal Society of Edinburgh (1968)

Awards & Achievements

Awards: 1968 DeMorgan Medal, London Mathematical Society; 1964 Sylvester Medal, Royal Society; 1930 Yarrow Research Fellowship; 1969 Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire; Commander of the Order of the Dannebrog

Achievements: one of the pioneers of what would later become known as chaos theory; with John E. Littlewood, contributed to important advances in function theory & differential equations;

was a descendant of poet John Donne

wrote over 100 articles on several mathematical concepts

1936 became the Director of Studies in Mathematics at Girton college

appointed Mistress of Girton 1948

was a Reader in the Theory of Functions at Cambridge 1958-1968

after retiring from girton in 1968 became a visiting professor in the US, Mexico, Poland & Wales

continued her research until well into her 80s

was school by tutors until she was 11 & was then sent to live with relatives & attended regular school

originally studied history before turning her focus to mathematics

never lost her interest in history, wrote several biographical memoires that showed her expertise in history

loved to travel & visited numerous historical locations like Petra

at age 96 was 1 of the subjects of a TV documentary called "Our Brilliant Careers"

was a Red Cross volunteer during WWII

her hobbies included painting & music