Suzan Rose Benedict

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	Born	29 Nov 1873	Norwalk, Huron County, Ohio
	Died	8 Mar 1942	Smith College, Mass.

Parents

• Dr David DeForest Benedict; 1833-1901
• Harriott Benedict; 1835-1909

Photos of Suzan Rose Benedict

The photo on the left of Suzan (bottom row center) and her sisters as young women is from the collection of Susan Orsini. The photo on the right of her at middle age is from the collection of Dave Barton.

Life of Suzan Rose Benedict

Suzan Rose Benedict was born November 29, 1873 in Norwalk, OH, youngest child of David and Harriott Benedict. She attended public schools in Norwalk, and was an active young woman who had many friends. After high school, she attended Smith College, graduating in 1895 with a B.A. in chemistry and minors in mathematics, German and physics. She returned to Norwalk where she taught high school mathematics and sold real estate.

In 1905, she entered Columbia University and graduated the following year with a M.S. in the history of mathematics. She then began teaching mathematics at her alma mater, Smith College while continuing her graduate studies. In 1914 received a Ph.D in mathematics from the University of Michigan, the first woman to do so.

Suzan became a full professor in 1921 and was one of the first class deans. She was a charter member of the Mathematical Association of America and led an effort to acquire a large collection of rare books on the history of mathematics for Smith College’s library. In February, 1942 she retired from Smith College and died on the 8th of March of that year from a heart attack. In her honor, the college established the Suzan Rose Benedict Prize, which has been awarded every year since her death to students who excel in mathematics. [1]

Footnotes

[1] Suzan Rose Benedict’s life story is from “Biographies of Women Mathematicians: Suzan Rose Benedict,” by Larry Riddle, 1995 http://www.agnesscott.edu/Lriddle/women/benedict.html & from the papers of Harriott Wickham Barton.

Census Records

1880 US Federal Census: Res: Seminary St, Norwalk, Huron County, Ohio; Roll: T9_1035; Family History Film: 1255035; Page: 283.2000; Enumeration District: 159; Image: 0568. 2Jun1880

• D. D. Benedict; Spouse/parents: Hattie M.; age 46; birthplace: Ohio; relation to head: Self (Head); occupation: physician
• Hattie M. Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: D. D.; age 45; birthplace: New York; Relation: Wife; occupation: keeping house
• Mary D. Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: D. D., Hattie M.; age 22; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Daughter
• Hattie M. Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: D. D., Hattie M.; age 20; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Daughter
• Agnes C. Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: D. D., Hattie M.; age 18; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Daughter
• Fannie B. Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: D. D., Hattie M.; age 16; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Daughter; Occupation: student
• Frederick B. Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: D. D., Hattie M.; age 14; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Son; occupation: student
• Ellen E. Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: D. D., Hattie M.; age 11; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Daughter; Occupation: student;
• Susan R. Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: D. D., Hattie M.; age 6; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Daughter; Occupation: student

1900 US Federal Census: Kenton Ward 2, Huron County, Ohio; Roll: T623 1288; Page: 10B; 11Jun1900

• David D Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: Harriott M; age 66; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Head; occupation: capitalist
• Harriott M Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: David D; age 65; birthplace: New York; Relation: Wife
• Mary D Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: David D, Harriott M; age 42; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Daughter
• Susan R Benedict; Parent/Spouse Name: David D, Harriott M; age 26; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Daughter; Occupation: school teacher

1910 US Federal Census: Norwalk Ward 2, Huron, Ohio; Roll; T624 1200; Page: 9A; Enumeration District; 36; Image: 859.

• Mary Benedict; age 52; birth: abt 1858; birthplace: Ohio; Relation; Head
• Suzen Benedict; age 36; birth: abt 1874; birthplace: Ohio; Relation; Sister
• William Benham; age 51; birthplace: Indiana; Relation; Brother
• Harriott Benham; age 51; birthplace: Ohio; Relation; Sister

1920 US Federal Census: Norwalk Ward 2, Huron, Ohio; Roll: T625 1398; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 54; Image: 307

• Mary Benedict; age 61; birth: abt 1859; birthplace: Ohio; Relation: Head
• Susan Benedict; age 45; birth: abt 1875; birthplace: Ohio; Sister

1920 US Federal Census: Northampton Ward 2, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: T625_705; Page: 12B; Enumeration District: 164; Image: 621.

• Name: Susan F Benedict; [Susan R Benedict]; Home in 1920: Northampton Ward 2, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Age: 46 years; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1874; Birthplace: Ohio; Relation to Head of House: Lodger; Father's Birth Place: Ohio; Mother's Birth Place: Virginia; Marital Status: Single; Race: White; Sex: Female;

Household Members:

• Frances Grace Smith, age 48
• Susan M Bambian, age 36
• Susan F Benedict, age 46
• Ida Sitler, age 38
• A Louise Truslow, age 69
• Margaret D Drummond, age 44
• Sidney N Deane, age 41

1930 US Federal Census: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 912; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 26; Image: 599.0.

• Name: Susan R Benedict; Home in 1930: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Age: 57; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1873; Birthplace: Ohio; Relation to Head of House: Head; Race: White; Occupation: teacher.
• Name: Susan M Rambo; Home in 1930: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Age: 57; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1883; Birthplace: Pennsylvania; Relation to Head of House: Lodger; Race: White; occupation: teacher.

Bibliography

*“Biographies of Women Mathematicians: Suzan Rose Benedict,” by Larry Riddle, 1995 http://www.agnesscott.edu/Lriddle/women/benedict.html

-- DaveBarton - 07 Apr 2009
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