Born: 6 December 1888, United States
Died: 3 August 1969
Country most active: United States
Also known as: NA
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
Libbie Henrietta Hyman was a distinguished Jewish-American zoologist known for her pioneering work in evolutionary theory and contributions to zoology. Despite facing limited resources and family support, she excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian and earning a Ph.D. in zoology in 1915. Her influential work encompassed writing laboratory manuals and taxonomic papers on invertebrates.
Hyman’s most significant achievement was her monumental six-volume treatise, “The Invertebrates,” where she demonstrated extensive research skills and multilingual abilities. In this work, she proposed a groundbreaking theory connecting vertebrates and echinoderms, revolutionizing the understanding of evolutionary biology. Hyman’s lasting legacy includes editorial roles, multiple honors, and a profound impact on zoology.