Emmy Noether: The Most Important Mathematician You’ve Never Heard Of

Emmy Noether (“It’s NER-ther, not NO-ther, by the way.”) excelled at mathematics and puzzles and managed to study at her local university despite the fact that, at the time, women were not allowed as official students. Eventually she earned her PhD and was allowed to volunteer as a mathematics professor (universities would not hire women at the time). There, she continued to astound her peers who often disparaged her but took credit for her thinking. When Albert Einstein developed his Theory of Relativity, Emmy managed to prove a part of the theory that didn’t work mathematically, based on the knowledge of the time. She also worked in the area of “ideal theory”, helping to lay the groundwork for the field of computer science. In the 1930s, she fled Nazi Germany, landing a position teaching mathematics at Pennsylvania’s Bryn Mawr College.

Becker’s strength is her ability to simplify abstract mathematical concepts, using language accessible to lay people. As well, Becker creates an appealing character in Emmy, a brilliant thinker stuck in an era where her talents were never fully appreciated because of her sex. However, Emmy never dwells on her lack of recognition; she simply moves on to solve another problem. Becker effectively makes use of humor as well—often to detail the ridiculous constraints placed upon women of the time.

Rust’s digitally enhanced, hand-drawn artwork incorporates mathematical notation into many of the spreads and often includes snide asides spoken by Noether’s stuffy peers. The colour palette varies but often includes cosmic blacks and purples accented in brilliant yellow hues.

With engaging text, intriguing artwork, and informative back matter, Emmy Noether: The Most Important Mathematician You’ve Never Heard Of makes a great addition to the growing canon of titles spotlighting unsung female mathematicians.