Hypatia was born around the year of 370 AD, in Alexandria Egypt. She was the daughter of Theon, who was considered one of the most educated men in Alexandria. Theon was a well known scholar and professor of mathematics at the University of Alexandria, at a time when mathematics and sciences were considered heresy by the Christians. Because Theon raised Hypatia in a world of education, he influenced Hypatia's enthusiasm for mathematics and sciences (astronomy and astrology) as she grew older. Hypatia received education from her father, at a time when it was unusual for women to receive formal education. It is believed that she surpassed her father's knowledge at a very young age. Hypatia was also a strong believer in the importance of education.

Hypatia is famous for editing the work on the Conics of Apollonius, which divided cones into different parts by a plane. This concept developed the ideas of hyperbolas, parabolas, and ellipses. She is also famous for writing The Astronomical Canon. Hypatia was the first woman to have a profound impact on the survival of early thought in mathematics. She was a brilliant and powerful lecturer, and her philosophy had religious undertones. She also designed an astrolabe, which is a tool that determines the altitudes of the stars and planets, as well as a hydroscope, which is used to view objects far below the surface of the water. Hypatia was the first noted woman mathematician, writer, esteemed teacher, astronomer, and scientist.

Hypatia's life which was enriched with a passion for knowledge came to a very tragic end in the year 415 AD. Because she lived at a time when Christianity started to dominate other religions, riots broke out frequently in Alexandria. Cyril, a leader among the Christians, and Orestes, the governor, opposed each other. Hypatia was a close friend of Orestes and it is believed that Cyril spread hideous rumors about her. So in 415 AD, a mob attacked her because her studies went against their Roman Empire Christian Doctrines, but also possibly because of their envy over her knowledge and beauty. There are many stories about her brutal murder. Before she was killed, Cyril and his mob dragged her to the church of Caesareum, stripped her, pulled her hair out, and murdered her with tiles. They then took her mangled limbs to a place called Cinaron, and there burnt them.

Hypatia's life ended tragically, however her life's work remained. Hypatia made extraordinary accomplishments for a women in her time, and she is considered a woman of great knowledge and an amazing teacher. Hypatia once said that "life is an unfoldment, and the further we travel the more truth we can comprehend. To understand the things that are at our door is the best preparation for understanding those that lie beyond." This sums up how she lived her life in a search for truth.