E.S.

Literature 3

Ada Lovelace, the Mother of Software Engineering

Augusta Ada Bryon, Countess of Lovelace

Augusta Byron, also known as Ada Lovelace, was a brilliant woman.  She was born on December 10, 1815, in London, England.  Her father was an aspiring poet whom her mother didn’t want anything to do with after Ada’s birth.  In result to this, Lady Byron, Ada’s mother, was dedicated to making sure her daughter was nothing like her poetic father.  Because of this, Lady pushed subjects such as mathematics, science, and music on her daughter.  Her mother made her work long nights and sessions and forced Ada to perform sessions of punishment to stay focused.  Ada foreshadowed her future when she created a design for a flying machine at the young age of thirteen.  A few years later, she became acquainted with Charles Babbage, who was the basic designer for the Analytical Engine.  This was the very, very basic idea of a computer, which would be used to solve infinite problems, create music, and create art work.  Babbage asked for Ada to add in her own notes on the summary on the Analytical Engine.  Though these notes were significantly complex, Ada understood them as well, if not better, than Charles Babbage.  She saw it as a general use computer, and eventually perfected the notes. Ada Lovelace was brilliant and was delighted to show off her knowledge by perfecting anything she could.

 

“... young as she was, understood its working, and saw the great beauty of the invention.”

 

-William Frend’s daughter