Death of Hypatia in Alexandria. The Greek mathematician and astronomer Hypatia of Alexandria (c.370-415 AD) was the first notable female scientist. She taught Neoplatonic and Aristotelian philosophy and wrote several works on mathematics and astronomy. Her ideas were frowned upon by the new religions, and during a riot she was brutally murdered by a Christian mob. Artwork from the 19th century book Vies des Savants Illustres.