Lois W. Griffiths (1899-1981) Papers

Lois W. Griffiths came to Northwestern University in 1927 as an instructor in mathematics, was promoted to assistant professor of mathematics in 1930, and to associate professor in 1938. She retired form Northwestern in 1964. Her special field of research was number theory. Her papers are contained in three and one-half boxes, date between 1923 and 1981, and are comprised of small amounts of correspondence and materials relating to Griffith's graduate education, as well as teaching files and publications. The teaching files (the bulk of the papers) contain lecture notes, reading notes, syllabi, schedules, examination questions, and a few student papers. The publications include portions of and supporting documentation relating to three lengthy works on linear equations, equation theory, and group theory. Of special interest among the articles are several letters between Griffiths and one of her doctoral professors, E.T. Bell, the well-known writer on mathematics.