Who was the first African American mathematician?

The Unsung Heroes of Numbers: Discovering the First African American Mathematician

We all know stories like “Hidden Figures,” right? They shine a light on the amazing contributions of African American mathematicians, contributions that often went unnoticed for far too long. But who was the first? That’s a question with a few different answers, depending on what you’re looking for: a degree, a published paper, or just sheer brilliance against all odds. Let’s dive in.

Benjamin Banneker: A Mind Ahead of His Time

First, we absolutely have to talk about Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806). Talk about a self-starter! Back in a time when opportunity was practically nonexistent for African Americans, Banneker taught himself math and astronomy. Seriously impressive. He’s famous for building America’s first clock – a wooden one, no less – that kept perfect time for decades. But get this: he also understood trigonometry and astronomy so well that he accurately predicted a solar eclipse back in 1789! And he published almanacs filled with his own astronomical calculations. Can you imagine the dedication?

Elbert Frank Cox: Crashing Through the PhD Barrier

Now, while Banneker was a total rock star, Elbert Frank Cox (1895-1969) officially broke the academic mold. He became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics, snagging his doctorate from Cornell University in 1925. Think about what that meant at the time. It wasn’t just a personal victory; it was a beacon of hope for every Black student dreaming of higher education.

But his path? Not exactly a walk in the park. One of his references even anticipated issues getting a graduate scholarship because of his race. Can you believe that? Despite the prejudice, Cox landed the Erastus Brooks Fellowship in Mathematics and powered through his dissertation on polynomial solutions of difference equations. Talk about resilience!

After his PhD, Cox dedicated his life to teaching and mentoring. West Virginia State College was his first stop, and then he moved on to Howard University, where he basically built up their math department. His reputation drew talented students and faculty, setting the stage for Howard’s future Ph.D. program in mathematics. He wasn’t just teaching math; he was building a legacy.

Dudley Weldon Woodard: The Power of Publication

Then there’s Dudley Weldon Woodard (1881-1965), who earned his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1928 from the University of Pennsylvania. But he also holds another important title: the first African American mathematician ever to publish a research paper in a math journal. His article, “On two-dimensional analysis situs with special reference to the Jordan curve-theorem,” appeared in Fundamenta Mathematicae in 1929. How cool is that? Woodard didn’t stop there either; he went on to establish a mathematics graduate program at Howard University.

A Lasting Impact

Elbert Frank Cox didn’t just earn a degree; he unlocked doors for generations of African American mathematicians. His commitment to teaching and mentoring created opportunities that simply didn’t exist before. Howard University even created the Elbert F. Cox Scholarship Fund to encourage young Black students to chase their math dreams. And the National Association of Mathematicians (NAM) honors Cox with the Cox-Talbot Address every year.

So, while Benjamin Banneker laid the groundwork with his self-taught genius, Elbert Frank Cox’s Ph.D. was a game-changer. These pioneers, along with Dudley Weldon Woodard and countless others, continue to inspire and push for a more diverse and inclusive world of mathematics. Their stories remind us that brilliance knows no boundaries.