Ada Lovelace
Today we remember mathematics pioneer Ada Lovelace, who was born on December 10, 1815. Lovelace is often described as the world’s first computer programer. She is credited with writing the world’s first computer program nearly a century before computers were built.
Lovelace was the only legitimate child of Romantic poet Lord Byron and his wife, Anna Isabella Milbanke. Shortly after Lovelace was born, her father left the family and never returned. She was only 8 years old when her father died of illness during the Greek War of Independence in 1824. As a child, her mother encouraged Lovelace’s interest in mathematics and logic and was determined to prevent Lovelace from following in the footsteps of her father.
At the age of 17, she met Charles Babbage and developed a lifelong friendship with the English polymath. He was known for inventing the Difference Engine, a device used for complex mathematical equations. Between 1942-1943, Lovelace helped to translate a paper on Babbage’s Analytical Engine. Her extensive notes on the paper contain what many consider to be the world’s first computer program.
Lovelace died on November 27, 1852 at the age of 36.
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Image: New York Public Library
Source: Geni.com
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