Carolyn Eisele

Carolyn Eisele (June 13, 1902 – January 15, 2000) was an American mathematician and historian of mathematics, primarily recognized for her deep expertise on the works of Charles Sanders Peirce. Born in The Bronx, New York City, Eisele pursued her education at Hunter College and Columbia University, earning a master's degree in mathematics and education. Although Columbia did not offer doctorates in mathematics to women at the time, she continued her graduate studies at the University of Chicago and the University of Southern California. Eisele dedicated nearly 50 years of her career to teaching mathematics at Hunter College, rising to the rank of full professor before her retirement in 1972. Her professional engagement with the history of mathematics began in earnest when she took a sabbatical in 1947. A pivotal moment occurred when she discovered a manuscript by Charles Sanders Peirce in the George Arthur Plimpton collection at Columbia University, leading to her first published paper on Peirce in *Scripta Mathematica* in 1951. Eisele's approach to Peirce studies was comprehensive, integrating his philosophical and logical contributions with his mathematical and scientific work. She served as president of the Charles S. Peirce Society from 1973 to 1975 and was instrumental in organizing the Peirce Bicentennial International Congress in Amsterdam in 1976. In the same year, she began editing and publishing the multi-volume collection *New Elements of Mathematics* by Peirce. Her scholarly output included notable books such as *Studies in the Science and Mathematical Philosophy of Charles S. Peirce* (1979) and *Historical Perspectives on Peirce’s Logic of Science* (1985). Eisele's significant contributions were recognized with numerous accolades, including being named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1960, induction into the Hunter College Hall of Fame upon her retirement, and honorary doctorates from Texas Tech University and Lehigh University. She was also honored with the Behavioral Sciences, History and Philosophy of Sciences award from the New York Academy of Sciences. Eisele died in Manhattan, New York City, at the age of 97.