Hypatia of Alexandria. Portrait of Hypatia of Alexandria (c. 370-415), Greek mathematician and astronomer. She is recognised as the first notable female scientist. She taught in Alexandria, eventually becoming head of the Neoplatonic school. She wrote several works on various subjects in the fields of mathematics and astronomy, although none have survived to the present day. She also lectured on the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle. The manner of her death was tragic: Christianity was beginning to take hold in the area, and her ideas were frowned upon by the new order. During a riot, she was brutally murdered by a Christian mob.