Celebrating Black History Month: Notable Mathematicians

As we wrap up Black History Month, let us celebrate some notable mathematicians who helped to shape the world we know today. We also remember that Black history is celebrated year round, and we will continue to recognize and honor Black culture of the past, present, and future.

Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9, 1731, in Ellicott's Mills, Maryland. Although being an astronomer, Benjamin was also a self educated mathematician. In doing so, his deep inquisitiveness for mathematics helped paved the way for many Black mathematicians today. Aside from his interests in science, Banneker successfully used mathematics to calculate the solar eclipse. Nevertheless, if it wasn't for him we would not be able to calculate the longitude and latitude of a geographical location today. His noteworthy accomplishments also include the publication of his own almanac, and building America's first wooden clock at the age of 24.

Elbert Frank Cox was the first Black American ever to receive a PhD in mathematics. Cox was born on Dec 5th, 1895 in Evansville, Indiana. In 1917 he earned a baccalaureate degree from the University of Indiana with a major in mathematics. Cox then later served in the US Army in France during World War I. It wasn't until later he decided to pursue a profession in teaching. He began teaching mathematics in public schools in Henderson, Kentucky. It wasn't until  in 1922 he enrolled into Cornell University for their graduate mathematics program. In 1925 he was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree in mathematics from Cornell, making him the first Black man to receive a PhD in Mathematics in the world.

Martha Euphemia Lofton Haynes was an American mathematician and educator. In 1943, Haynes earned her PhD in mathematics at The Catholic University in Washington, D.C, thus, making her the first Black American woman to earn a PhD in mathematics. This allowed her to also be the first woman to chair the DC School Board. Haynes also served as math chair at Dunbar High School and at DC’s Teachers College. She is also taught at Howard University as an adjunct professor.

Although being the seventh Black American to receive a PhD in mathematics, statistician and mathematician David Blackwell made significant contributions to game theory, probability theory, information theory, and Bayesian statistics. Blackwell applied game theory to military situations by analyzing the optimum timing of theoretical armed duelists. In 1954, Blackwell collaborated with Abe Girshick to publish, Theory of Games and Statistical Decisions. Their book explored statistical evaluating procedures through decisions and game theory. In addition to being the founding father of probability and game theory, he was also the first Black scholar to be admitted to the National Academy of Sciences.

After skipping several courses in high school and graduating college at the age of 18, Katherine Johnson is also a notable figure in mathematics. She graduated in 1932 with a B.S. degree in French and Mathematics. In 1940, she pursued a graduate degree at West Virginia University. She was one of the first Black Americans to be enrolled in a mathematics program. Not only did Johson face hardships as a Black woman, but she also faced hardships for simply being a woman. In 1953, she joined Langley Research Center (LaRC) as a research mathematician for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). It was here she faced gender discrominiation amongst her male counterparts. In 1962, she provided the orbital entry and launch window calculations that allowed John Glenn’s orbit around the moon. She also provided calculations that coordinated the Apollo moon landing. She retired from NASA in 1986. You may also recognize her from the movie Hidden Figures, which depicts her experiences at NASA.