Elizabeth Lowell Putnam

Elizabeth Lowell Putnam (2 February 1862–1935) was an American philanthropist and an activist for prenatal care.

They were the great-grandchildren of John Lowell and, on their mother's side, the grandchildren of Abbott Lawrence.

In 1888, Elizabeth married her third cousin and family lawyer William Putnam, Senior.

This contest, which continues to this day, began in 1935 under the direction of the Mathematical Association of America.

Since 1992, the competition has awarded the Elizabeth Lowell Putnam Prize for outstanding performance by a female contestant.