Helen Silving-Ryu

Helen Silving-Ryu (8 March 1906, Kraków, Poland-1993) was the first female law professor in the United States

Silving-Ryu was the only female scholar mentored by Austrian philosopher and jurist, Hans Kelsen. Silving-Ryu and Kelsen collaborated extensively during her time at Harvard University.

Personal life Helen was born on March 8, 1906, in Kraków. Daughter of Szaje Chaim and Sara vel Salomea (Bauminger) Silberpfennig. Came to the United States, 1939.

On January 3, 1959, Silving married Paul K. Ryu at the home of New York University’s chancellor, George D. Stoddard.

Silving met Ryu during her time at Harvard University. They intellectually collaborated over the course of their life together on publicational works on the topics of law, freedom, and justice.

Major publications

Literature Miriam Gassner, Austrian Jurists in US-exile – Jurisprudence as a Door Opener to US Law Schools, in: Journal of Austrian American History 10/1-2 (2026) p. 193-214 Miriam Gassner (ed.): Helsen Silving-Ryu - Der Aufstieg einer jüdischen Migrantin aus Wien zur First Lady of US-Criminal Law. Wien: Manz 2026, 224 pages.