Augusta Ada Byron - The Countess of Lovelace

An Important Woman in Academic History

The Founder of Scientific
Computing


 



 

Ada Lovelace

 

For most of us in today's society, when we think
about computer science and computer programming, we think of self-proclaimed
nerds sitting at computer screens and college prodigies creating billion dollar
websites in their dorm rooms (Facebook?)—and almost all of these images brought
to mind are male. Today, the majority of student majoring in computer science
and professionals working as computer programmers are male. However, interestingly,
the history of the now booming industry of computer programming and scientific
computing was actually founded by a woman.

 



 

Ada Lovelace

 

Augusta Ada Byron, Countess of Lovelace, now
most commonly known as Ada Lovelace, born in 1815, was an English mathematician
and writer and is noted as the world's first computer programmer. However, for
the most part, this recognition is only really known by those close to the
academic study of computer science. For the general public, Ada might be better
known for being the first daughter of famous English poet Lord Byron. Ada had
no relationship with her poet father, moving away from him with her mother when
she was just a girl. Aside from her interesting heritage, Ada's academic resume
and history is quite remarkable.

 



 

Mary Somerville

 

In her adult years, Ada became close friends
with Mary Somerville, a noted researcher and scientific author in the 19th
century. Somerville introduced Ada to Charles Babbage who would soon become her
mentor and academic inspiration. Babbage was a mathematician, philosopher,
inventor, and mechanical engineer who was working on the concept of a
programmable computer when Ada met him.

 



 

Charles Babbage

 

Ada's work on what would eventually be
the first computer program began with the nine-month process of translating
Italian mathematician Luigi Menabrea's memoir on Babbage's newest proposed
machine, the Analytical Engine.

 



 

Luigi Federico Menebrea

 

Ada made this transition and added several
notes of her own to the work. Explaining Babbage's Analytical Engine was no
simple task—many had tried and failed. Ada, however, prevailed and added a
section that included in great detail a method for calculating a sequence of
numbers with the Engine. This calculation (or program) would have run correctly
had the Analytical Engine been built at the time. The actual machine based off
of Babbage's work was not completed until 2002.

 



 

Ada Lovelace

 

Ada's work was well received and she was highly
regarded among academics and scientists of the time as a strong writer and
talented mathematician. Her work on the Analytical Engine and her method of
calculation, however, would not be formally recognized as the first computer
program ever written until much later over 100 years after her death. With the
current atmosphere that surrounds science and computer programming, it is
extremely interesting and valuable to recognize that Ada, a woman, was the
first individual to conjure an algorithm intended for a computer. With STEM
outreach at an educational level and a looming lack of women in the
professional science field, there's something to be said about woman playing a
more prominent role in computer science during the patriarchal days of the 19th
century.

 

Lauren Bailey is a freelance blogger for www.bestcollegesonline.com. She
loves writing about education, new technology, lifestyle and health. As an
education writer, she works to provide helpful information on the best online
colleges and courses and welcomes comments and questions via email at blauren
99 @gmail.com.


 

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Published on September 06, 2012 09:25
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