Marie-Sophie Germain

Marie-Sophie Germain, born April 1, 1776 to a French merchant, Ambroise-Francois Germain, "was probably the most profoundly intellectual woman that France has ever produced" (H.J. Mozans qtd. by Singh). Her interest in mathematics was inspired by her readings of the tragic death of Archimedes, who was murdered at the hands of a Roman soldier because he was too engrossed in a geometric problem to take notice of his situation. Germain immediately dove into the great mathematical …

…married to Academy members. She was also to be presented with an honourary degree from the University of Gottingen. Tragically, she died as a result of breast cancer, June 1831, before the ceremony. Germain's struggle with the gender bias of her day continued into her afterlife when her death certificate was made out to designate her as a "'rentiere-annuitant' (a single woman with no profession) - not as a 'mathematicienne'" (H.J. Mozans qtd. by Singh).