An algorisme stone served as a constant tool for Margaret Clement, a mathematician whose intellectual foundations were laid within the household of Sir Thomas More. Born in 1508 as Margaret Giggs, she attained a level of education that defied the rigid limitations imposed upon women during the Tudor era, eventually emerging as a significant figure in the study of algebra.
Humanist Education
Raised as a ward of Thomas More, Clement received an intensive humanist education alongside More’s own daughter. Her training encompassed liberal studies including theology, philosophy, and medicine, alongside an exceptional command of Greek. Scholars such as Nicholas Kratzer and John Clement contributed to her academic development, fostering a curriculum that prioritized rigorous mathematical and scientific inquiry despite the period’s restrictive educational norms.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Mathematical Practice
Clement is historically categorized as a mathematician with a specific focus on algebra. Her technical proficiency was evident through her possession and use of an algorisme stone, an instrument essential for calculating arithmetic operations. This device remained with More during his final period of imprisonment in the Tower of London; he returned the stone to Clement the day before his execution in 1535.
Faith and Exile
Deeply committed to her Catholic faith, Clement actively supported the Carthusian Martyrs during their imprisonment. Following the political and religious shifts in the Kingdom of England, she eventually left her homeland. She spent her final years in exile, passing away on 6 July 1570 in Mechelen, located within the Habsburg Netherlands. Her legacy continued through her two daughters, one of whom became a convent superior in Leuven.
Fast facts
- Born: 1508
- Died: 6 July 1570
- Place of birth: Norfolk, Kingdom of England
- Place of death: Mechelen
- Primary field: Algebra
- Citizenship: Kingdom of England
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Margaret Clement study?
She studied mathematics, medicine, philosophy, theology, and Greek.
What is the significance of the algorisme stone?
It was a tool for mathematical calculations that Clement owned and used, which More kept during his imprisonment.
