Dates
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Existence: July 29, 1875
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April 20, 1918
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Usage: 1907
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1918
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Usage: 1875
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1907
Biographical Information
Martha Dicks Stevens, the first woman to earn an engineering degree from Purdue University, was born on July 29, 1875, in Salem, Ohio to Sarah Dicks Stevens and Moses Cobb Stevens, Professor of Mathematics at Purdue University from 1883-1902. Stevens graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1894 in Mathematics and Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree in 1897, and a Master of Science degree in 1898, then took non-degree study in French and Industrial Arts until 1902. While a student, Stevens was also President of the Purdue Photographic Club, Vice President of Philalethan Literary Society and YWCA, and Alumni Editor for the Purdue Exponent. After graduation, Stevens spent a year as a Presbyterian Missionary in Flag Pond, Tennessee, then taught college mathematics before retiring to care for her aging parents. Stevens married attorney John Bibb Mills on June 27, 1907, and they had four children. Martha Dicks Stevens Mills died April 20, 1918, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Citation:
The Annual Catalogue of Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University, 1894-95). April 15, 2024.
https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/ua175/id/36273/rec/12
Citation:
The Annual Catalogue of Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University, 1898-99). April 15, 2024.
https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/ua175/id/50008/rec/16
Citation:
Martha Dicks Stevens, “Element of Human Sympathy in Wordsworth’s Poetry” (West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue University, 1898), Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries, West Lafayette, IN. April 15, 2024.
https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/theses/id/31456/rec/1
Citation:
The Annual Catalogue of Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University, 1900-01). April 15, 2024.
https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/ua175/id/5624/rec/17
Citation:
The Annual Catalogue of Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University, 1901-02). April 15, 2024.
https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/ua175/id/50236/rec/18
Citation:
Purdue University, Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, Indiana, 1898). April 15, 2024.
https://earchives.lib.purdue.edu/digital/collection/debris/id/12164/rec/5
Citation:
Martha Stevens Mills family papers, MSP 329, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries, West Lafayette, IN. April 15, 2024.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Collection — Box 1: Series MSP 329, Series 1; Series MSP 329, Series 2; Series MSP 329, Series 3
Identifier: MSP 329
Scope and Contents
The Martha Stevens Mills family papers includes photographs, negatives, diaries, letters, periodicals, and biographical information created and collected by members of the Stevens and Mills families. The majority of materials relate to Martha Dicks Stevens Mills, the first woman to earn an engineering degree at Purdue. Also included is biographical information related to her father, Moses Cobb Stevens, Professor of Higher Mathematics at Purdue University and secretary of the Purdue Board of...
Dates:
1882 - 1920
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 7
Scope and Contents
The Women in Engineering Program records (1935-2012; 1.85 cubic feet) documents the creation of the program, as well as its activities and successes. Also included in the collection is information on Dr. Lillian Gilbreth and the first woman to graduate in engineering at Purdue, Martha Dicks Stevens. The records reflect the growth of the program over the years as well as the substantial increases in the number of women engineers that were attributed to the program. The collection would be...
Dates:
1935-2012; Other: Majority of material found in 1970-2000; Other: Date acquired: 11/06/2012
