Hypatia
Hypatia was an Egyptian mathematician and philosopher who lived between 370-415.
She taught mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy at the Neoplatic school in
Alexandria, Egypt. She was the daughter of Theon, a famous mathematician of
the time.
Hypatia wrote three books on mathematics and astronomy. In addition, she
invented several tools relating to astronomy and the Earth sciences. A few
include: a device for measuring water levels, a distillation machine, an
astrolabe (instrument that fixes the positions of the sun and stars),
a planisphere, and a hydrometer (measures the specific gravity of liquids).
Hypatia also wrote about religion and philosophy. The following is one of her
more famous sayings:
Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to
think at all.
Hypatia was killed violently due to her teachings, which were considered Pagan.
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