Mary Cartwright British mathematician Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Cartwright Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Cartwright Also known as: Mary Lucy Cartwright Written by Adam Volle Adam Volle is a freelance writer and editor based in Atlanta, Georgia. Adam Volle Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 30, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents In full: Mary Lucy Cartwright (Show more) Born: December 17, 1900, Aynho, Northamptonshire, England (Show more) Died: April 3, 1998, Cambridge, England (Show more) Mary Cartwright (born December 17, 1900, Aynho, Northamptonshire, England—died April 3, 1998, Cambridge, England) was a British mathematician known for contributing to the development of chaos theory—specifically what later came to be called the “butterfly effect.” Cartwright was honored as the first female mathematician elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society. Cartwright was one of five children born to William Digby Cartwright, the rector of St. Michael’s parish, Aynho, Northamptonshire, and Lucy Harriette Maud Cartwright (née Bury). She was homeschooled by governesses until the age of 11, when her parents sent her away to continue her education at a ...(100 of 973 words)

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