List of African-American mathematicians
The bestselling book and film, Hidden Figures, celebrated the contributions of African-American women mathematicians during the space race and highlighted the barriers they faced in studying and pursuing careers in mathematics and related fields. While Hidden Figures brought attention to these women, many other achievements by African Americans in mathematical sciences, research, education, and applied fields have also remained relatively unknown. Despite this, the community of African-American mathematicians has been growing. Between 2000 and 2015, African Americans represented approximately 4–6% of graduates majoring in mathematics and statistics in the United States. This list catalogs Wikipedia articles on African Americans in mathematics, as well as early recipients of doctoral degrees in mathematics and mathematics education, books and studies about African-American mathematicians, and other major landmarks.
Historical landmarks
1792: Benjamin Banneker calculated planetary movements and predicted eclipses in his Almanac.1867: Howard University established its Department of Mathematics.
1895: Joseph Carter Corbin, president of Branch Normal College, published his first problem in American Mathematical Monthly.
1916: Dudley Weldon Woodard became a charter member of the Mathematical Association of America.
1925: Elbert Frank Cox was the first African-American awarded a doctoral degree in mathematics, from Cornell University.
1929: Dudley Weldon Woodard was the first African-American mathematician known to publish in a mathematics journal, with the article "On two-dimensional analysis situs with special reference to the Jordan curve-theorem" in Fundamenta Mathematicae.
1943: Euphemia Lofton Haynes was the first African-American woman to gain a doctoral degree in mathematics.
1951: The MAA Board of Governors adopted a resolution to conduct their scientific and business meetings, and social gatherings "without discrimination as to race, creed, or color".
1956: Gloria Ford Gilmer is believed to have been the first African-American woman to publish mathematical research, co-authoring an article in Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society and another in Pacific Journal of Mathematics.
1969: 17 African-American mathematicians met in New Orleans, forming the National Association of Mathematicians to "promote excellence in the mathematical sciences and to promote the mathematical development of under-represented American minorities".
1973: Mathematician David Blackwell became the first African-American in any field to be elected to membership of the National Academy of Sciences.
1976: Howard University established the first PhD program in mathematics at a historically black college or university under mathematics department chair James Donaldson and professor J. Ernest Wilkins Jr.
1980: The Claytor Lecture – now the Claytor-Woodard Lecture in honor of William W S Claytor and Dudley Weldon Woodard – was established at MAA.
1982: Civil rights leader, Bob Moses, used his MacArthur Fellowship to start the Algebra Project, a national mathematics literacy program for high schools.
1988: The MAA established a task force that led to the formation in 1990 of SUMMA, a program for the Strengthening of Underrepresented Minority Mathematics Achievement.
1992: Mathematician Freeman Hrabowski became president of the University of Maryland.
1994: The Blackwell Lecture was established for MAA meetings, jointly by MAA and NAM, as well as the NAM Wilkins Lecture and Bharucha-Reid Lecture.
1995: The first CAARMS – Conference for African American Researchers in Mathematical Sciences – was held, to highlight the work of researchers and students and encourage the careers of under-represented groups in mathematics. Proceedings are published by the American Mathematical Society in its Contemporary Mathematics series.
1997: Kathleen Adebola Okikiolu was the first African American awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship and Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
1997 Scott W. Williams produced the website Mathematicians of the African Diaspora, a collection of African-American mathematicians, newsletter, and resources on Africans in mathematics. By early 2007 it had close to 5 million visitors. The website has been cataloged by the Library of Congress.
1999: The mathematics departments of the 25 highest-ranked universities in the US had more than 900 faculty members, of whom 4 were African-American.
2003: Clarence F. Stephens was the first African-American to be honored with the Mathematical Association of America's most prestigious award, for Distinguished Service to Mathematics.
2004: The Association for Women in Mathematics and MAA formally established the Etta Zuber Falconer Lecture.
2015: Katherine Coleman Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2016: Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterley, was published, going on to win multiple awards and reach number 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It tells the story of African-American women mathematicians at NASA during the space race.
2017: The film adaptation, Hidden Figures, was nominated for best movie at the Academy Awards, and Katherine Johnson makes an appearance at the ceremony.
2020: The updated website Mathematicians of the African Diaspora debuted in October. The new site is supported by the National Association of Mathematicians and the Educational Advancement Foundation.
Doctoral degrees in mathematics
The lists of doctoral degrees, including the Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics and Doctor of Education, draw from these sources: Turner, Greene, Williams, Zeitz, Shakil, and the Mathematical Association of America.First men and women
These are the first 12 known PhDs by African-American men and women in mathematics, in alphabetical order for years with multiple doctorate holders.| Year | Gender | Photo | Name | Awarded | Dissertation title | |
| 1925 | Elbert Frank Cox | Cornell University | The polynomial solutions of the difference equation af + bf = φ | |||
| 1928 | Dudley Weldon Woodard | University of Pennsylvania | On two-dimensional analysis situs with special reference to the Jordan Curve Theorem | |||
| 1933 | William Schieffelin Claytor | University of Pennsylvania | Topological immersion of peanian continua in a spherical surface | |||
| 1934 | Walter Richard Talbot | University of Pittsburgh | Fundamental regions in S6 for the simple quaternary G60, type I | |||
| 1938 | Reuben Roosevelt McDaniel | Cornell University | Approximation to algebraic numbers by means of periodic sequences of transformations on quadratic forms | |||
| 1938 | Joseph Alphonso Pierce | University of Michigan | A study of universe n finite populations with application to moment-function adjustments for grouped data | |||
| 1941 | David Harold Blackwell | University of Illinois | Some properties of Markoff chains | |||
| 1942 | Robert Coleman | Columbia University | The development of informal geometry | |||
| 1942 | Jesse Ernest Wilkins | University of Chicago | Multiple integral problems in parametric form in the calculus of variations | |||
| 1943 | M. Euphemia Lofton Haynes | Catholic University of America | Determination of sets of independent conditions characterizing certain special cases of symmetric correspondences | |||
| 1944 | Joseph James Dennis | Northwestern University | Some points in the theory of positive definite J-fractions | |||
| 1944 | Wade Ellis | University of Michigan | On relations satisfied by linear operators on a three dimensional linear vector space | |||
| 1944 | Clarence F. Stephens | University of Michigan | Nonlinear difference equations analytic in a parameter | |||
| 1949 | Evelyn Boyd Granville | Yale University | On laguerre series in the complex domain | |||
| 1950 | Marjorie Lee Browne | University of Michigan | Studies of oneparameter subgroups of certain topological and matrix groups | |||
| 1961 | Georgia Caldwell Smith | University of Pittsburgh | Some results on the anticenter of a group | |||
| 1962 | Gloria Conyers Hewitt | University of Washington | Direct and inverse limits of abstract algebras | |||
| 1965 | Thyrsa Frazier Svager | Ohio State University | On the product of absolutely continuous transformations of measure spaces | |||
| 1966 | Vivienne Malone-Mayes | University of Texas at Austin | A structure problem in asymptotic analysis | |||
| 1966 | Shirley Mathis McBay | University of Georgia | The homology theory of metabelian Lie algebras | |||
| 1966 | Eleanor Green Dawley Jones | Syracuse University | Abelian groups and their endomorphism rings and the quasi-endomorphism of torsion free abelian groups | |||
| 1967 | Geraldine Claudette Darden | Syracuse University | On direct sums of cyclic groups | |||
| 1967 | Annie Marie Watkins Garraway | University of California, Berkeley | Structure of some cocycles in analysis |
Doctoral degrees 1925 to 1975
This list includes PhDs awarded to African-Americans and to African immigrants by academic institutions in the United States.| Indicates first known African-American man or woman awarded a PhD at an academic institution |
Doctoral degrees in mathematics education to 1975
This list includes doctorates specifically in mathematics education and doctorates in education by mathematicians/mathematics educators.| First | Indicates first known African-American man or woman awarded a doctorate in education at an academic institution |
Books and articles about African-American mathematicians
This list includes books and dissertations published about individual African-Americans in mathematics, and studies, biographical anthologies or histories dedicated to African-Americans in mathematics. ''''Individuals
Benjamin Banneker:- * Bedini, Silvio A. The life of Benjamin Banneker: the first African-American man of science. Maryland Historical Society.
- * Hinman, Bonnie. Benjamin Banneker: American Mathematician and Astronomer .David Blackwell:
- * Blackwell, David; Wilmot, Nadine. An oral history with David Blackwell. Bancroft Library.
- * Black, Robert. David Blackwell and the Deadliest Duel. Royal Fireworks Press. Joseph James Dennis:
- * Williams, Sherese LaTrelle. To Humbly Serve: Joseph James Dennis and His Contributions to Clark College. Clark Atlanta University.Marjorie Kimbrough
- * Kimbrouogh, Marjorie. Accept no limitations: a black woman encounters corporate America. Abingdon Press.Shirley Mathis McBay:
- * Verheyden-Hilliard, Mary Ellen. Mathematician and Administrator, Shirley Mathis McBay. Equity Institute.J. Ernest Wilkins Jr.:
- * Nkwanta, Asamoah; Barber, Janet E.. "Episodes in the Life of a Genius: J. Ernest Wilkins Jr." ''Notices of the American Mathematical Society. Volume 65, Number 2''.
Anthologies and studies
- Borum, Viveka; Hilton, Adriel Adon; Walker, Erica. The Role of Black Colleges in the Development of Mathematicians. Journal of Research Initiatives.
- Carlson, Cob; Parks, Yolanda; et al.. Breakthrough: profiles of scientists of color. Working with Numbers. Blackside.
- Dean, Nathaniel . African Americans in mathematics: DIMACS workshop, June 26–28, 1996. American Mathematical Society.
- Farmer, Vernon L; Shepherd-Wynn, Evelyn. Voices of historical and contemporary Black American pioneers.
- Harmon, Marylen; Guertler, Sherry. Visions of a dream: history makers: contributions of Africans and African Americans in science and mathematics. M.E. Harmon.
- Houston, Johnny L. The History of the National Association of Mathematicians : The First Thirty Years, 1969–1999. NAM.
- Kenschaft, Patricia Clark. Change is possible: Stories of women and minorities in mathematics.
- Lang, Mozell P. Contributions of African American scientists and mathematicians. Harcourt School Publishers.
- Newell, Victoria; Gipson, Joella; Rich, Waldo L.; Stubblefield, B. Black Mathematicians and Their Works.
- Paul, Richard; Moss, Steven. We Could Not Fail: The First African Americans in the Space Program. University of Texas Press.
- Shetterly, Margot Lee. Hidden Figures: The American dream and the untold story of the black women mathematicians who helped win the space race.
- Walker, Erica N. Beyond Banneker: Black mathematicians and the path to excellence.
- Williams, Lisa D. The trials, tribulations, and triumphs of black faculty in the math and science pipeline: a life history approach. University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
- Williams, Talithia M. Power in numbers: The rebel women of mathematics. Race Point Publishing.
For young people
- Becker, Helaine; Phumiruk, Dow. Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13. Henry Holt and co.
- Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Dear Benjamin Banneker.
- Schwartz, Heather E. NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson. Lerner Publications.
- Shetterly, Margot Lee; Conkling, Winifred; Freeman, Laura. Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race. HarperCollins.
List of Wikipedia articles
This list includes Wikipedia articles for people from the African diaspora who have postgraduate degrees in mathematics or statistics, have worked in mathematics, or are known for mathematical accomplishments in the United States. The list is grouped by the time the person's first degree in mathematics was awarded, or when they began their work in mathematics. Individuals are listed alphabetically within time periods. PhDs in mathematics education are included.Before 1900
- Benjamin Banneker
- Kelly Miller, degrees from Howard University, including law degree
- Charles Reason
- Thomas Fuller
1900s
- Dudley Weldon Woodard, degrees from Wilberforce University, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania
1910s
- Elbert Frank Cox, degrees from Indiana University, Cornell University
- Euphemia Haynes, Smith College, Catholic University of America
1920s
- Joseph J. Dennis, degrees from Clark College, Northwestern University
- Angie Turner King, degrees from West Virginia State College, including chemistry, University of Pittsburgh
- Georgia Caldwell Smith, degrees from University of Kansas, University of Chicago, University of Pittsburgh
- Dorothy Vaughan, degree from Wilberforce University
1930s
- David Blackwell, degrees from University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
- Marjorie Lee Browne, degrees from Howard University, University of Michigan
- Katherine Johnson, degree from West Virginia State College
- Clarence F. Stephens, degrees from Johnson C. Smith University, University of Michigan
1940s
- Albert Turner Bharucha-Reid, degree from Iowa State University
- Gloria Ford Gilmer, degrees from Morgan State University, University of Pennsylvania, Marquette University
- Evelyn Boyd Granville, Smith College, Yale University
- Mary Winston Jackson, degree from Hampton Institute
- Eleanor Green Dawley Jones, degrees from Howard University, Syracuse University
- Abdulalim A. Shabazz, degrees from Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University
- Louise Nixon Sutton, degrees from North Carolina A&T State University, New York University
- J. Ernest Wilkins, Jr., degrees from University of Chicago, New York University
1950s
- Geraldine Claudette Darden, degrees from Hampton Institute, University of Illinois, Syracuse University
- Mary Deconge, degrees from Seton Hill College, Louisiana State University, St. Louis University
- Annie Easley, degrees from Xavier University, mathematics at Cleveland State University
- Etta Zuber Falconer, degrees from Fisk University, University of Wisconsin, Emory University
- William Thomas Fletcher, degrees from North Carolina Central University, University of Idaho
- Gloria Conyers Hewitt, degrees from Fisk University, University of Washington
- Vivienne Malone-Mayes, degrees from Fisk University, University of Texas
- Melba Roy Mouton, degrees from Howard University
- Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes, degrees from Southern University, University of Illinois
- Thyrsa Frazier Svager, degrees from Antioch College, Ohio State University
- Argelia Velez-Rodriguez, degrees from Marianao Institute, University of Havana
- Grace Alele Williams, degrees from University of Ibadan, University of Chicago
1960s
- Sylvia D. Trimble Bozeman, degrees from Alabama A&M University, Vanderbilt University, Emory University
- Christine Darden, degrees from Hampton Institute, Virginia State University, George Washington University
- Lloyd Demetrius, degrees from University of Cambridge, University of Chicago
- James A. Donaldson, degrees from Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Fern Y. Hunt, degrees from Bryn Mawr College, New York University
- Raymond L. Johnson, degrees from University of Texas at Austin, Rice University
- Ronald Elbert Mickens, degrees from Fisk University, Vanderbilt University
- John Peoples, degrees from Jackson State University, University of Chicago
- Jeanette Scissum, degrees from Alabama A&M University, computer science PhD
- Scott W. Williams, degrees from Morgan State University, Lehigh University
1970s
- Jacqueline Akinpelu, degrees from Duke University and Johns Hopkins University *Augustin Banyaga, degrees from University of Geneva
- Emery N. Brown, degree from Harvard College and Harvard University
- Freeman Alphonsa Hrabowski III, degrees from Hampton Institute, University of Illinois
- Iris Marie Mack, degrees from Vassar College, University of California, Los Angeles, Harvard University
- Carolyn Ray Boone Mahoney, degrees from Siena College, Ohio University
- William Alfred Massey, degrees from Princeton University, Stanford University
- Lee Stiff, degrees from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, North Carolina State University
1980s
- Idris Assani, degrees from Paris Dauphine University, Pierre and Marie Curie University
- Emery Neal Brown, degrees from Harvard University and Harvard Medical School
- Melvin Currie, degrees from Yale University and University of Pittsburgh
- Clifford Victor Johnson, degrees from Imperial College London and University of Southampton
- Bob Moses, degrees from Hamilton College, and Harvard University ; founder of Algebra Project
- Arlie Oswald Petters, degrees from City University of New York and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Janice B. Walker PhD, mathematics, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- Suzanne L. Weekes, degrees from Indiana University and University of Michigan
1990s
- Ron Buckmire, degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Toka Diagana, degrees from California Institute of Technology and Stanford University
- Rudy Horne, degrees from University of Oklahoma and University of Colorado Boulder ; mathematical consultant for the movie Hidden Figures
- Trachette Jackson, degrees from Arizona State University and University of Washington
- Chawne Kimber, degrees from University of North Carolina and University of Florida
- Marilyn Strutchens, degrees from the University of Georgia
- Aissa Wade, degrees from University Montpellier 2, France
- Talitha Washington, degrees from Spelman College and University of Connecticut
2000s
- Carla Cotwright-Williams, degrees from California State University, Long Beach, Southern University, and University of Mississippi
- Christina Eubanks-Turner, degrees from Xavier University of Louisiana and University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Omayra Ortega, degrees from Pomona College and University of Iowa
- Candice Price, degrees from California State University, Chico, San Francisco State University, and University of Iowa
- Dionne Price, degrees from Norfolk State University, University of North Carolina, and Emory University
- Chelsea Walton, degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan
- Talithia Williams, degrees from Spelman College, Howard University, Rice University
- Ulrica Wilson, degrees from Spelman College and Emory University
2010s
- John Urschel, degrees from Pennsylvania State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology