Frieda Bull

Frieda Bull was born in Nelsonville, Ohio, in 1884. In 1893, she and her family moved to the Gallatin Valley, where she graduated as valedictorian of her 1903 high school class. In 1907, Bull graduated with honors from Montana State University (then known as Montana Agricultural College) with a degree in math and physics. She received her graduate degree, also from MSU, in 1909, and then completed further studies at the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University. Bull is perhaps best known in Bozeman for teaching math at MSU from 1907 to 1954, when she retired as professor emeritus of mathematics. She was extremely active in university organizations, including the College Women's Club, the Alumni Association, Alpha Gamma Delta social fraternity, American Association of University Women and the Retired Teachers Association. Bull, an 89-year resident of Bozeman and 47-year professor at MSU, died at age 98 after a life well-lived.

Frieda Bull taught mathematics in the MSU Department of Mathematics from 1907 to 1954, at a time when mathematics was a field occupied almost entirely by men.

MSU HIstoric Photo Collection:  parc-002135