This timeline covers Edith Clarke's early years, highlighting her family background, education, and the pivotal moments that shaped her path towards engineering.
Birth in Howard County, Maryland
February 10, 1883
Edith Clarke was born in Howard County, Maryland, to Susan Dorsey Owings and John Ridgely Clarke. She was one of nine children.
Orphaned at Age 12
1895
Edith Clarke tragically became an orphan at the age of 12. She inherited a small amount of money, which later helped fund her education.
Attends Vassar College
1901-1903
Clarke used her inheritance to attend Vassar College, where she studied mathematics and astronomy, demonstrating her early aptitude for technical subjects.
Teaches Mathematics and Physics
1903-1904
After graduating from Vassar, Clarke taught mathematics and physics at a private school in San Francisco and then at Marshall College in West Virginia. This experience likely honed her analytical skills and further solidified her interest in technical fields.
Studies Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
1907
Clarke spent a year studying civil engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, indicating a shift towards a more practical application of her mathematical skills. This was an unconventional choice for a woman at the time.
Calculations for AT&T
1908-1911
Clarke worked as a 'computer' for AT&T, performing mathematical calculations. This was common employment for women with strong mathematical skills at the time. This experience exposed her to complex electrical engineering problems.
Graduates from MIT
1918
Edith Clarke earned a degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), becoming the first woman to do so. This was a monumental achievement and a testament to her determination and intellect.
