Agnes Ermina Wells, 1876-1959

Agnes Ermina Wells was born January 4, 1876, in Saginaw, Michigan. After completing Arthur Hill High School there, she studied music and German for a year in Dresden, Germany. She attended the University of Michigan, except for a year at Bryn Mawr College, graduating in 1903 with a B.A. in mathematics. In 1916, she earned her M.S. in astronomy from Carleton College (Minnesota).

Immediately afterwards she accepted a position as Dean of Women at Indiana University, where she also taught mathematics and astronomy. In 1924 she completed her Ph.D. in astronomy (University of Michigan) with "A Study of the Relative Proper Motions and Radial Velocities of Stars in the Pleiades Group" as her dissertation topic. Although she taught mathematics and astronomy for 26 years at Indiana University, she is best remembered for her contributions in the areas of guidance and housing of women students.

AEW was active in many clubs and organizations, including the National Woman's Party (of which she was chairman, 1949-1951), American Association of Deans of Women, Michigan State Society, National Education Association, Daughters of the American Revolution and Phi Beta Kappa.

On July 7, 1959, AEW died in Saginaw, Michigan.

From the guide to the Papers, 1894-1959, (Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute)