Ada Lovelace

About Ada

Childhood

Ada was born the only child of Lord Byron and Lady Byron's marriage. Her father left and later died when she was only eight, and she was raised solely by her mother and house staff. Her mother remained bitter towards Lord Byron and encouraged Ada's interest in math and logic in hopes to avoid having another Lord Byron in the world. Though she was frequently ill in her childhood, Ada studied often and had a deep love for learning. When Ada was a teenager, her mathematical talents led her to work with fellow British mathematician Charles Babbage, also known as "the father of computers".

Schooling

Ada was privately educated in in her teens and early adulthood. It was saud that her skills in math might lead her to become what could only be described as a genius. Ada often questioned basic assumptions through integrating her father's talent of poetry, which she also came to enjoy. She believed that intuition and imagination were critical to apply to mathematical and scientific concepts.

Contributions

The Computer

Between 1842 and 1843, Ada translated an article about the Analytical Engine, a very basic computer, adding her own notes to it. Lovelace's notes contain what many consider to be the first computer program. Some argue that Babbage's personal notes from the years 1836 and 1837 contain the first programs for the computer. Lovelace also developed a vision of the capability of computers to go beyond mere calculations, while many others, including her colleague, chose to only focus on such. Her mindset led her to ask questions about the Analytical Engine examining how technology can be a more widely used tool. Therefore, she is considered to be one of the trailblazers for modern day computer technology.

Fun Facts

  1. Ada conceptualized her own flying machine at age twelve
  2. Ada was a compulsive gambler
  3. She was read to by Charles Dickens on her death bed

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