Italian mathematician and philosopher born in 1718 is credited with writing first book discussing differential and integral calculus

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Google's doodle on Friday celebrated the 296th birthday of the Italian mathematician and philosopher Maria Gaetana Agnesi.

Agnesi, born on 16 May 1718, is believed to be the first woman in the west to gain recognition as a mathematician, at a time when most Europeans did not see the value of education for women.

Raised into a wealthy and literate Milanese family, she was recognised as a child prodigy and became interested in mathematics. At an early age she composed and delivered an hour-long speech in Latin to some of the most distinguished intellectuals of the time on the subject of women’s right to be educated.

By her 11th birthday she had mastered seven languages including French, Hebrew and Greek, with her father often hosting parties where she could display her knowledge.

After the death of her mother, Agnesi, the eldest of 21 siblings, took over management of the household and was charged with educating her brothers and sisters – a task that took a great deal of her time and energy while she continued to study mathematics.

Agnesi is credited with writing the first book discussing both differential and integral calculus; Instituzioni analitiche ad uso della gioventù italiana, or Analytical Institutions for the Use of Italian Youth. In it, she discusses the algebraic curve, now known as the witch of Agnesi.

Uses of Agnesi's findings are only being fully recognised in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, with physicists and mathematicians working with x-rays, optical lines and electrical circuits.



After her father’s death, she apparently lost all interest in scientific work and devoted the last four decades of her life to studying theology and to charitable work, taking charge of a home for the poor and infirm in 1771.

She died in the poorhouse on 9 January 1799, after having spent all her wealth on charitable works.

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