SOPHIA KOVALEVSKAYA

The great Russian mathematician, Sophia Kovalevskaya (1850-1891) lived and worked in the late 1800's. It was the period of Russia's progress in science and culture. It was the time, when Lobachevsky created anew non-Euclidean geometry and Chebyshev organized anew school of mathematicians. In her numerous scientific works Kovalevskaya solved the problems which many scientists couldn't solve during many years. When she became a world-known scientist, Kovalevskaya won recognition in her own country. In 1889, she was elected a Corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Sophia Kovalevskaya was born in Moscow in 1850 in a well-off family but spent her childhood in a village. Her father, a well-educated person himself, gave a good education to his children. When Sophia was eight, an experienced teacher taught her arithmetic, grammar, literature, geography, and history. The girl showed an unusual gift in mathematics, and at the age of 12 puzzled her teacher, when she gave a new solution to a difficult unsolved problem.

In 1867, Kovalevskaya wanted to continue her studies in St. Petersburg, where her family spent winters. But it was impossible for a woman to attend lectures at the University. The only way out for her was to go abroad, but in this case there was a condition that the woman should be married. So, Sophia married Vladimir Kovalevsky, and soon left Russia.

Sophia Kovalevskaya studied at Heidelberg University , she attended lectures, and did a lot of research and practical work.

In 1871, the Kovalevskys went to Berlin. During four years in Berlin, Sophia wrote three dissertations. When they appeared

in 1874, Hettingen University awarded her the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

On her return to Russia, she vainly tried to get a post at St. Petersburg University. Again, Kovalevskaya returned to Berlin, where she completed her work on the refraction of light in crystals.

In 1883, she accepted the offer of Stockholm University, and was elected professor of mechanics, and held this post until her death in 1891.

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