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Hypatia of Alexandria

Overview

The last guardian of the Great Library.

Missing Image
(Portrait)

What is it?

The first female mathematician whose life is well recorded. She taught philosophy and astronomy in the intellectual capital of the world.

History

360-415 AD. She edited Ptolemy's 'Almagest', keeping advanced astronomy alive during the decline of the Roman Empire.

Key Idea

She invented the hydrometer, a tool still used today to measure liquid density.