Gladys West
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Summary
Gladys West was born on October 27, 1930[1], in Sutherland[2]. She died on January 17, 2026[3], in Fredericksburg[4]. She worked as a mathematician[5] and surveyor[6]. She ranks in the top 0.7% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (7,101 views/month, #6,958 of 1,000,298).[7]
Key Facts
- Place of birth: Virginia[8]
- Country of citizenship: Africa[9]
- Employer: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division[10], Defense Mapping Agency[11]
- Educated at: Virginia State University[12], University of Oklahoma[13], Virginia Tech[14]
- Notable work: Seasat[15], Global Positioning System[16], orbit of Pluto[17], Geosat[18]
- Award received: BBC 100 Women[19], Prince Philip Medal[20], Webby Lifetime Achievement Award[21]
- Member of: Alpha Kappa Alpha[22]
- Sex or gender: female[23]
- Commons category: Gladys West[24]
- Family name: West[25], Brown[26]
- Given name: Gladys[27], Mae[28]
- Described at URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00254-z[29]
- Languages spoken, written or signed: English[30]
- Name in native language: Gladys West[31]
- Number of children: 3[32]
- On focus list of Wikimedia project: gender gap on Dutch Wikipedia[33], BBC 100 Women Edit-a-thon[34]
Why It Matters
Gladys West has Wikipedia articles in 22 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[35] She is known by 53 alternative names across languages and contexts.[36]
FAQs
Where was Gladys West born?
Gladys West was born in Sutherland[2].
Where did Gladys West die?
Gladys West died in Fredericksburg[4].
What did Gladys West do for work?
Gladys West worked as a mathematician[5] and surveyor[6].
Where did Gladys West go to school?
Gladys West was educated at Virginia State University[12], University of Oklahoma[13], and Virginia Tech[14].
What awards did Gladys West receive?
Honors received include BBC 100 Women[19], Prince Philip Medal[20], and Webby Lifetime Achievement Award[21].