Elizabeth Lowell Putnam
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Lowell Putnam was born (as Bessie Lowell) in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Lowell
of Boston. Elizabeth grew up on her families 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) estate, which later be called Sevenels for the seven (7) Lowells which comprised her family, including her brothers Abbott Lawrence
and Percival
and her sister Amy Lowell
.
In 1888, Elizabeth married her third cousin and family lawyer William Putnam, Senior
. She was known for her early activism for prenatal care
.
In 1927, sometime after her husband's death, Elizabeth Lowell Putnam established the William Lowell Putnam Intercollegiate Memorial Fund
in order to begin a college-level mathematics competition. This contest, which continues to this day, began in 1935 under the direction of the Mathematical Association of America
. Since 1992, the competition has awarded the Elizabeth Lowell Putnam Prize for outstanding performance by a female contestant.
She was the maternal grandmother of McGeorge Bundy
and William Putnam Bundy.
Augustus Lowell
Augustus Lowell was a businessman and philanthropist from Massachusetts. He was born in Boston to John Amory Lowell and his second wife Elizabeth Cabot Putnam. His great-grandfather, John Lowell, was among the first Judges for the newly created federal courts, appointed by Presidents George...
of Boston. Elizabeth grew up on her families 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) estate, which later be called Sevenels for the seven (7) Lowells which comprised her family, including her brothers Abbott Lawrence
Abbott Lawrence Lowell
Abbott Lawrence Lowell was a U.S. educator and legal scholar. He served as President of Harvard University from 1909 to 1933....
and Percival
Percival Lowell
Percival Lawrence Lowell was a businessman, author, mathematician, and astronomer who fueled speculation that there were canals on Mars, founded the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and formed the beginning of the effort that led to the discovery of Pluto 14 years after his death...
and her sister Amy Lowell
Amy Lowell
Amy Lawrence Lowell was an American poet of the imagist school from Brookline, Massachusetts who posthumously won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1926.- Personal life:...
.
In 1888, Elizabeth married her third cousin and family lawyer William Putnam, Senior
William Lowell Putnam
William Lowell Putnam II was an American lawyer and banker.-Biography:...
. She was known for her early activism for prenatal care
Prenatal care
Prenatal care refers to the medical and nursing care recommended for women before and during pregnancy. The aim of good prenatal care is to detect any potential problems early, to prevent them if possible , and to direct the woman to appropriate specialists, hospitals, etc...
.
In 1927, sometime after her husband's death, Elizabeth Lowell Putnam established the William Lowell Putnam Intercollegiate Memorial Fund
William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition
The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, often abbreviated to the Putnam Competition, is an annual mathematics competition for undergraduate college students of the United States and Canada, awarding scholarships and cash prizes ranging from $250 to $2,500 for the top students and $5,000...
in order to begin a college-level mathematics competition. This contest, which continues to this day, began in 1935 under the direction of the Mathematical Association of America
Mathematical Association of America
The Mathematical Association of America is a professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level. Members include university, college, and high school teachers; graduate and undergraduate students; pure and applied mathematicians; computer scientists;...
. Since 1992, the competition has awarded the Elizabeth Lowell Putnam Prize for outstanding performance by a female contestant.
She was the maternal grandmother of McGeorge Bundy
McGeorge Bundy
McGeorge "Mac" Bundy was United States National Security Advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson from 1961 through 1966, and president of the Ford Foundation from 1966 through 1979...
and William Putnam Bundy.