1857-1945

American Physiologist

Ida Hyde was a pioneering woman scientist whose academic and professional successes established a foundation for future female researchers. Earning an esteemed foreign doctorate, Hyde set precedents for other women who were interested in studying with international experts. She also enabled women scientists to have access to more laboratories with superb equipment and facilities. By securing university recognition for her expertise, funding scholarships, evaluating scholarly candidates, and establishing groups supportive of female researchers, Hyde assured opportunities for talented, dedicated women scientists to achieve desired educations and careers.

Born in Davenport, Iowa, Hyde was the daughter of Meyer H. and Babette (Loewenthal) Heidenheimer. Her parents changed their surname to Hyde when they emigrated from Wurttemberg, Germany, to Chicago. Hyde worked in a millinery shop and attended night classes at the Chicago Athenaeum before enrolling at the University of Chicago in 1881. After one...