When Dudley Weldon Woodard (1881-1965) enrolled in the Graduate School at Penn in 1927, he had already accumulated a remarkable set of achievements. In an age of discrimination, Dudley Weldon Woodard had competed and triumphed in the face of overwhelming odds. 2001], [Kenschaft WebDudley Weldon Woodard (October 3, 1881 July 1, 1965) was an American mathematician and professor, and the second African-American to earn a PhD in Mathematics; the first was Woodard's mentor Elbert Frank Cox, who earned a PhD from Cornell in 1925).. degree program in mathematics University of Pennsylvania, 1934. Dr. The class, Women and Minorities in Mathematics, took a closer look at mathematics and the contribution of women and minorities to the field. Woodward then taught collegiate mathematics in Tuskegee for many years, until finally he earned his Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania (1928). Photograph courtesy of University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Woodard, Dudley Weldon. He established the graduate program in mathematics, obtained the necessary resources and administrative support for a mathematics library, and sponsored visiting professorships and scholarly seminars. & SocialSciences, Arts, [1] He taught collegiate mathematics in Tuskegee for many years,[2] until finally he earned his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania (1928). N-cell, Transactions of the American Mathematics Society Scott W. Williams He died in 1965. mathematician In his lifetime he published three papers, the second, The Characterization of the Closed North-Cell in Fundamenta Mathematicae, 13 (1929), is, according to Scott Williams, Professor of Mathematics at The State University of New York, Buffalo, the first paper published in an accredited mathematics journal by an African American. In many ways I think that it is perhaps the best that I have ever had done under my direction.. WebWoodard was a respected mathematician, professor and mentor to his students at Howard University in Washington District of Columbia, where he had established the graduate 0 "Topological Immersion Of Peanian Continua In A Spherical Surface." can possibly be attributed to the fact that Woodard's father There is little or no information about Dudley Weldon Woodard's While presenting at a 1936 meeting hosted by the American Mathematical Society in Durham, North Carolina, Claytor was not allowed to stay overnight in the hotel where the conference sessions were being held. That period was very difficult for Blacks who Woodward then taught collegiate mathematics in Tuskegee for many years, until finally he earned his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania (1928). Penn is proud to claim him among its most distinguished Claytor, who taught at West Virginia State College after graduation, was, however, unable to pursue a career in research due to racism. The first research paper published in an acredited mathematics Dudley Weldon was born October 3(1881,Galveston Texas). There is a well-documented trend of growth among black or African American female medical school graduates. [4][5], During his lifetime, he published three papers. Claytor told meI guess I was a freshman, he said, youd make a good research mathematician. I said, what do they do? He said, youll have to find that out. But he said, Im going to prepare you to be a research mathematician. Johnson said in a 2012 interview for The History Makers.. He died on July 1, 1965, at his home in Cleveland, Ohio, aged 83. If you have comments, or spot errors, we are always pleased to hear from you.hear from you. Dudley Weldon Woodard By: Jazlyn Howard Period: 4 Education: Interesting Facts: He and Elbert Cox (first black person to receive a PhD in the world) established and sponsored several professorships and many scholarly seminars in mathematics. 3, 396 - 415]. He established the graduate program in mathematics, obtained the necessary resources and administrative support for a mathematics library, and sponsored visiting professorships and scholarly seminars. Professional mathematicians began to refer to these Figures as "Claytor curves." Photograph courtesy of Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University Archives, Washington, D.C. John Robert Kline (1891-1955). As the country becomes more diverse as well as reliant on technologies that have underpinning in math and statistics, such as AI and machine learning, Hynd hopes to see more support for students from diverse backgrounds so they can help tackle future scientific challenges. Like other departments in the Graduate School, Mathematics admitted women and people of color from its inception. When Claytor published his dissertation, he had every reason to expect competing offers from America's leading research universities. Friends intervened and opened the possibility of a position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. On site, in the District of Columbia and Baltimore, respectively, Rahsaan interviewed former colleagues of both men and obtained copies of primary source materials found in the university archives at both institutions. restaurants and enjoyed the theaters of his choice in New York. His doctoral thesis was entitled, On Two-Dimensional Analysis Situs with Special Reference to the Jordan Curve Theorem, and was advised by John R. Kline. Copyright 2023 Wise Famous Quotes. WebIn an age of discrimination, Dudley Weldon Woodard had competed and triumphed in the face of overwhelming odds. On Wednesday, 21 June 1933, Penn conferred its Ph.D. on Claytor, who thereby became the third African American in the nation to earn the degree in mathematics. Read more, These men and women risked and sometimes lost their life to fight for the cause. Advisor: John Robert Kline. The second of these, The Characterization of the Closed N-Cell in Fundamenta Mathematicae, 13 (1929), is, according to Scott Williams, Professor of Mathematics at the State University of New York-Buffalo, the first paper published in an accredited mathematics journal by an African American. WebDudley Weldon Woodard (18811965) was an African American mathematician and professor, and the second person of African descent to earn a PhD in Mathematics, the first being Elbert Frank Cox, (PhD Cornell, 1925), Woodard's mentor. He died in 1965. Claytor personally mentored Katherine Johnson, the African American mathematician whose work was instrumental for NASAs first crewed spaceflights, while she was double majoring in math and French at West Virginia State College. Eighteen years ago, also under the auspices of the University Archives, extensive research established the names and biographies of the first African American alumni at each of Penns twelve schools. was during this period that he became recognized as one of the October 3, 1881-July 1 1965. John R. Kline continued to mentor Claytor and on his recommendation Claytor obtained a Rosenwald Fellowship in 1937. Dudley Weldon Woodard was born October 3, 1881, in Galveston, Texas, where his father worked for the U. S. Postal Service. Professional mathematicians began to refer to these Figures as Claytor curves.. Woodard, D. W., On two dimensional analysis situs courses during the summer sessions at Columbia University. [10] One of his best known students was William Waldron Schieffelin Claytor, who later took his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania (1933), also under Woodard's former advisor, John R. Kline. The performance is co-presented with World Cafe Live. Photograph courtesy of University of Pennsylvania Libraries, David Rittenhouse Lab.209 South 33rd StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19104-6395Email: math@math.upenn.eduPhone: (215) 898-8178 & 898-8627Fax: (215) 573-4063, 2023 The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. Woodard was quickly recognized as having a talent in mathematical research and took a leave from Howard in 1927 to enroll as a Ph.D. student at Penn. 113 0 obj <>stream Prior to this exhibition, the extraordinary achievements of Dudley Woodard and William Claytor were virtually unknown at Penn. @emaze_tweets is the leading online #presentation software. Claytor went on to serve in the Army during World War II as an instructor in Anti-Aircraft Artillery Schools, and a chance meeting with statistician David Blackwell led Claytor to joining the math faculty at Howard after teaching stints at Southern University, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, in Virginia. Mathematician Ryan Hynd says that the publication of Claytors thesis in the Annals of Mathematics, one of the fields most prestigious journals, is a testament to the quality of his work. at Wilberforce University in Ohio (1903), a B.S. They are created and maintained Ph.D. dissertation. and M.S., University of Chicago, 1906 and 1907; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1928. mathematics faculty at Howard University in 1920. It is always the latest song that an audience applauds the most. Friends intervened and opened the possibility of a position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. In an age of discrimination, Dudley Weldon Woodard had competed and triumphed in the face of overwhelming odds. We also wish to thank Professor Jerry Porter, who conceived the Woodard / Claytor exhibition and whose determination played a large part in bringing it to fruition. Read more, Olympic winners, MVPS of every sport, and people who broke the color barrier. He ain't ever had one Over a period of six weeks he steadily assembled detailed and reliable biographical accounts. Reprint, Fundamenta Mathematicae, 13: 121-45. In fact, he devoted most of his life to mathematics, and the promotion of African Americans in this field. the noblest men I've ever known." 2nd black with Ph. When Dudley Weldon Woodard (1881-1965) enrolled in the Graduate School at Penn in 1927, he had already accumulated a remarkable set of achievements. was the most promising student in the inaugural year of Prof. Reprint, Annals of Mathematics, 35: 809-35. Woodards Ph.D. thesis was the first research paper published in an accredited mathematics journal by an African American, and Woodard became only the second African American to earn a Ph.D. in math. appears to be the first research paper published in an accredited If theres news at Penn, youll find it here. The wildlife of Florida is rich and varied, yet most of us are familiar with only a dozen or so species: the "well known endangered species such as manatees and panthers; those, like raccoons and squirrels, that have adapted to urban environments; the frightening alligators and black bears; and those like the armadillo who can't seem to cross the road. Copy. degree (1906) and degree Once logged in, you can add biography in the database, October 3, 1881 degree from Wilberforce University in Ohio (1903), his B.S. He enrolled at Penn in the 1930-31 academic year, won a Harrison Scholarship in Mathematics in his second year, and took the most prestigious award offered at Penn at that time, a Harrison Fellowship in Mathematics, in his third and final year of graduate studies. George Butcher, Marjorie Lee Browne, He received his B.A. and many scholarly seminars in mathematics. [1] He taught collegiate mathematics in Tuskegee for many years,[2] until finally he earned his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania (1928). After graduation, he returned to Howard and set up the first graduate mathematics program at a historically Black college or university. He also helped establish learning centers. degree from Wilberforce University in Ohio (1903), his B.S. He dedicated his entire life to died: July 1, 1965, A.B. Woodard devoted As two of the first African Americans to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics, Dudley Weldon Woodard and William Waldron Schieffelin Claytor were both talented researchers as well as devoted supporters of math education for minority students. Dudley died on a Wednesday in a Jewish hospital of old age on July 1,1965 in Cleveland Ohio. For other details on Woodard see the University of Pennsylvania's Funeral Home Services for Dudley are being provided by RAPP Funeral and Cremation Services - Silver Spring. proffeser at mulpitle schools as tuskgee university, wilberforce universityand howard. Find everything you need on our complete sitemap directory. degree (1906) and M.Sc. The Mathematics Department of In 2001, Tyson was appointed by President Bush to serve on a 12-member commission that studied the Future of the US Aerospace Industry. The African American MBA Association at the Wharton School celebrates its 50th anniversary. born: October 3, 1881 Galveston, Texas. He spent a year at the University of Michigan, working with Professor R.L. In an age of discrimination, Dudley Weldon Woodard had competed and triumphed in the face of overwhelming odds. Despite the support of his colleagues, Michigan failed to offer him a faculty position. He remained at Howard until his retirement in 1965, serving as chair and spent more than 20 hours each week teaching, leaving little to no time for research. Other talented African Americans had preceded him in earning degrees in the College and in Penns several professional schools. After On Wednesday, 28 June 1928, Woodard became the 38th person to receive a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Penn. It Of Claytors Ph.D. thesis, Kline told his advisor Robert L. Moore that Claytor wrote a very fine thesis. The film is a project of the Annenberg Classroom. Collections of the University Archives and Records Center, University of Pennsylvania, In 1934, Dr. Claytor published his embedding theorem, which stated, "a Peano continuum K is homeomorphic to a subset of the surface of a sphere if and only if it contains neither a primitive skew curve nor a topological image of either of the Figures 7 or 8." While most African Americans were part of the hardworking labor forces in agriculture and industry, a small percentage were hard at work creating inventions that helped transform America. Woodard was a smart child whose curiosity was supported by his family. After service in the United States Army during World War II, Claytor renewed his teaching, but ceased his research. But something had changed within him and he declined the offer. He was denied the opportunity to work at the Institute for Advanced Study because Princeton would not accept a colored person, and he was unable to attend departmental seminars at the University of Michigan, even while working under the prestigious and competitive Rosenwald fellowship, and was unable to obtain a faculty position there. WebMathematical Union described Woodard as, an extremely nice man, well balanced personally He was also regarded by Leo Zippin, who was an internationally known In 1882 the University of Pennsylvania established its Ph.D. program in arts and sciences and ten years later awarded its first doctorate in mathematics. But in that era of pervasive racial discrimination only a predominantly African American institution, West Virginia State College, welcomed him to its faculty. Regardless of any challenges he faced, Woodard earned a bachelors degree in math from Wilberforce University, in Ohio, in 1903 and a masters in math from the University of Chicago in 1907. University; B.S. He worked under John R. Kline on Jordan curves, the topic of a well-known theorem in topology. professor. Dudley went to a College called Wilberforce University in Ohio (1903-1906) he worked at a University of Chicago (1907). of the Closed N-Cell" [Transactions of the American Mathethematics Woodard received the Ph.D. in mathematics He had published his University of Chicago master's thesis in mathematics, "Loci Connected with the Problem of Two Bodies" and had been teaching mathematics at the collegiate level for two decades. Dr. Woodard returned to Howard, where his career flourished. In 1927, Woodard took scholarly Upon completing his early education in Texas, Woodard Wilder and a group of talented topologists. The class, When he retired in 1947 as chairman of the department, he had led Howard's mathematics faculty through a quarter century of steady advancement. Reprint, Fundamenta Mathematicae, 13: 121-45. When did Dave Dudley die? in Cleveland Ohio. Along with Woodard and Claytors theses are the work of George Hench Butcher Jr., who earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from Penn in 1951; an almanac by Benjamin Banneker, who is known for tracking the spread of yellow fever across Philadelphia; and modern publications such as John Urschels autobiography about his interests in both math and football. 1987] [Newel his entire professional life to the promotion of excellence in In 1929-30 William Waldron Schieffelin Claytor (1908-1967) was the most promising student in the inaugural year of Professor Dudley Weldon Woodards new graduate mathematics program at Howard University. 42 (1937), no. William Claytor's best years may well have been those he spent in Philadelphia, but his unfulfilled promise was a great disappointment for John R. Kline and his generation of colleagues at Penn. He also ate at many "nice" restaurants and enjoyed the theaters of his choice in New York. 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