Interview: A 19th-century Woman of Science
Vera Dmitrievna Titova was a 19th-century scientist and educator who, by her own description of her life, studies, and career as a scientist, mathematician, and educator, along with her descriptions of living through the Russian revolution of 1917 and two World Wars, exemplifies herself as an exceptional woman of science and history. Ms. Titova began teaching science before the Russian Revolution of 1917, a time before which many of the unique educational methodologies employed by Ms. Titova and her colleagues did not exist, and which now-long standing methodologies she was instrumental in developing.
I. INTRODUCTION
A new century brings new discoveries by scientists, mathematicians, historians, and educators. Although we as citizens of a new century have opportunities to communicate with our contemporaries who have made such discoveries, it is our predecessors who have laid the foundation for the success of these contemporaries, and for their followers who will, in turn, make new discoveries. This is especially true in the case of women and their role in the advancement of science, mathematics, history, and education in the world today. As such, I believe that considering the achievements of such women—both past and present—offers the well-rounded mind an opportunity for appreciating the contributions of these women, whose main drives in life were not exclusively for the purpose of increasing the size of their family or for contributing to the financial stability or interests of their spouses, but for being in charge of their own lives and careers.
In this spirit, I introduce Vera Dmitrievna Titova, a 19th-century scientist, educator and colleague of my grandmother, herself an educator. Having recently discovered notes from some of Ms. Titova’s journals and a partial unpublished autobiography, I present to you Ms. Titova, in her own words.
II. VERA DMITRIEVNA TITOVA
“I was born in 1888. My father was a handicraftsman. He had a moderate furrier’s shop. In the 1906-1907 academic year, I graduated with honors from the 7th grade of the Female Classical School in Rostov [1]. In the 1907-1908 academic year, I studied in the 8th pedagogical class; I majored in two fields: 1) Russian and Literature and 2) Mathematics. At the completion of the 8th pedagogical class, I obtained the title of home tutor, (as it was supposed then according to the charter of the 8th grade Female Classical Schools). From February 1909 to September 1915, I taught classes in Elementary schools. Having accumulated some savings, in 1915 I left to study at the Higher Courses for Women. In 1919, I entered an elementary school again as an educator, as there were no open vacancies in higher school. In 1920, I transferred to School 1 [2], which was then called the School of Second Degree. There I taught Mathematics and Physics for several years from the 5th – 10th grades. I had many 10th grade graduates at the School. Among my graduates from this school there are already professors (astronomers); aircraft construction engineers; composers and musicians; there are a lot of engineers of various specialties, teachers, doctors, etc. Some of my students studying in my classes before the Revolution [3] are already retired. In 1936, together with headmaster S. P. Yakovlev and some educators, I transferred to new School 2 [4]. I worked there 20 years. I taught mathematics (algebra, geometry, and trigonometry). For the most part, I worked with students in the 8th, 9th and 10th grades. During this time, there were 18 or 19 graduations of 10th grade students. I have always tried to provide my students with a solid and profound knowledge of mathematics. I thoroughly prepared for each lecture and made sure that the students learned the material that I presented in the lecture. Each time, we reinforced a new topic by solving the corresponding examples and tasks. Moreover, for the lagging students, I conducted additional classes, where I carefully explained to each student what he did not understand. To keep students interested in mathematics, I taught extracurricular activities; on them we solved more difficult problems requiring mathematical development and problems of an entertaining nature. We had “math evenings”. For example, there were evenings dedicated to brilliant mathematicians: S.V. Kovalevskaya, N.I. Lobachevsky and others, and there was also an evening on which the development of mathematics in the Ancient East was highlighted. I was very fond of public education. In total, I worked at the school for 44 years, and began teaching in elementary school under the Nicholas II tsarist regime. I have always taken an active part in the life of the school in the development of instructional methods, curriculum for students. I graduated many ladies and young men from the 10th grade, and now I meet most of them as if they were my family. They recall their years of study with pleasure, and I listen with interest about their life and work after graduation. The government highly appreciated my modest work. For continuous and many years of work, I was awarded the Order of Lenin [5] and the Order of the Red Banner of Labor [6]. For my conscientious work on the education and training of students, I was awarded the badge “Excellence in Education” and the title of Honored Teacher of the School of the RSFSR.
Teacher Emeritus V. Titova”
[1] Rostov the Great, 126 mi northeast of the modern city of Moscow. [2] In that time, the school was known by its “school number”. [3] The Russian Revolution of 1917. [4] By the order # 26 of the USSR Department of Education, Yaroslavl Region on 9 February 1948, my grandmother was assigned as headmaster of this school, where she made the acquaintance of Ms. Titova. [5] the highest civilian award of the USSR to individuals, collectives, institutions, or organizations for outstanding achievements in research, art, technology, or economics; also conferred on foreigners for services strengthening cooperation and friendship between the USSR and other nations. Among the recipients were Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the USSR; Fidel Castro, President of Cuba; and Nelson Mandela, South African leader. [6] Among the recipients were Galina Sergeyevna Ulanova, prima ballerina (4 times); Aram Ilyich Khachaturian, composer (2 times); and Vitaly Lazarevich Ginzburg, theoretical physicist, astrophysicist and Nobel laureate (2 times).
III. DISCUSSION
The impacts upon science, art, history, education, and mathematics of previous generations are significant, but are often misevaluated and sometimes ignored by modern theorists and practicians, who are not always aware of the actual ideas and influences of their predecessors. The role of women in science and study has traditionally been ignored or at least underestimated. Proficiency in physics, mathematics and technology—especially in the case of women at the advent of the 20th century—cannot be ignored. Scientists, mathematicians, and technicians who exemplify these characteristics—men and women alike—are forward-thinking and progressive in their approach to their daily lives, their studies and their careers.
IV. CONCLUSION
Because of her contributions in the intellectual arena of scientific disciplines long dominated by males, Vera Dmirtievna Titova may best be described as an “enlightener”, and well-worth taking her place among the constellations of other such educators, scientists, and mathematicians as Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin and Evelyn Boyd Granville.
V. DEDICATION
Because of her early contributions to the development of modern methodologies in mathematics and science education when and where no such methodologies previously existed, Vera Dmitrievna Titova has established herself as a scientist and educator of exceptional intellectual ability and desire, and as a role model for scientists, mathematicians, and educators, male and female alike.
VI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As the author of this article, I am very thankful to my mother, Natalia A. Shintakova, for so carefully and conscientiously preserving and providing the notes and documents referenced for the composition of this article.
