Sophie Germain, pioneer in elasticity and number theory

Germain’s lifetime of contributions to mathematics ranged from elasticity theory to a new approach to Fermat’s Last Theorem––but as a woman, she had been barred from studying at the École Polytechnique. 

A few good places to start:

• Krantz, Steven G. An Episodic History of Mathematics: Mathematical Culture through Problem Solving . Washington: Mathematical Association of America, 2010. https://search.lib.utexas.edu/permalink/01UTAU_INST/12n4s7g/jstor_csp20876869
• Perl, Teri. Math Equals: Biographies of Women Mathematicians. Menlo Park: Addison-Wesley, 1978. https://search.lib.utexas.edu/permalink/01UTAU_INST/1ilchdf/alma991049181069706011

See also:

• https://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/women/germain.htm 

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