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Ada Lovelace

English mathematician and writer

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, was known for her work on Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine. She recognized its applications beyond calculation. Lovelace, the only legitimate child of poet Lord Byron, promoted her interest in mathematics. She translated an article about the Analytical Engine and developed what is considered the first computer program.

Related

Charles Babbage Alan Turing Ludwig Wittgenstein Artificial Intelligence Suffragette Leonardo da Vinci Robert Watson-Watt Computer Anne Hathaway James Clerk Maxwell

Timeline

Birth of Ada Lovelace

Ada Lovelace, born in England on December 10, 1815, was the daughter of the famous poet Lord George Byron and Lady Anne Byron. Despite the norms of the time, she excelled in math and science, eventually becoming known as the world's first computer programmer.

Lady Byron leaves Lord Byron

When Ada was five weeks old, her mother left Lord Byron due to his excessive drinking and womanizing. Lady Byron and her infant daughter quickly went to Lady Byron’s parents’ house.

Lord Byron's separation and departure from England

Lord Byron signed the deed of separation and left England for good a few days later, amidst allegations of immoral behavior from Lady Byron. This event marked the beginning of Lovelace's infamous reputation in Victorian society.

Publication of 'The Unnatural Mother'

In 1819, Ada's mother wrote a poem titled 'The Unnatural Mother,' expressing her guilt, shame, and resentment towards Ada due to her troubled marriage with Lord Byron.

Ada Lovelace's Childhood

During 1820, Ada Lovelace experienced her childhood years.

Lord Byron dies in the Greek War of Independence

Lord Byron, who is Ada's father, passes away while supporting the Greek War of Independence.

Ada Designs a Flying Machine

On January 1, 1828, Ada Lovelace designed a flying machine.

Ada Contracts Measles

On October 1, 1829, Ada Lovelace got measles and was unable to leave her bed.

Ada Lovelace recovers from measles

After battling measles for the past three years, Ada finally overcomes the illness and regains her health.

Ada meets Charles Babbage

In 1833, Ada Lovelace meets Charles Babbage, the inventor of the difference engine. This encounter sparks inspiration in Ada.

Meeting of Augusta Ada King with Charles Babbage

On June 5, 1833, Augusta Ada King met Charles Babbage at one of his soirées. This encounter marked the beginning of a long working relationship and friendship between the two.

Distinction between Mechanism and Logical Structure

Ada Lovelace distinguished between the mechanical details of computing mechanisms and the logical structure of the Analytical Engine. She highlighted the importance of understanding both aspects, recognizing that different specialists might be needed for each.

Marriage of Ada Lovelace to William King

On July 8, 1835, Ada Lovelace married William King, 8th Baron King. She later became the countess of Lovelace when her husband was created an earl in 1838.

Birth of Ada's first child, Byron

In May 1836, Ada Lovelace gives birth to her first child, named Byron. This event signifies a new chapter in Ada's life as a mother.

In September 1837, Ada Lovelace gave birth to a daughter named Anne. Anne later became known for her role in establishing the Crabbet Arabian Stud alongside her husband Wilfrid Blunt.

Ada Becomes Countess of Lovelace

On June 30, 1838, Ada Lovelace officially became the Countess of Lovelace.

Birth of Ada's Third Child

On July 2, 1839, Ada Lovelace welcomed her third child, Ralph Gordon.

Ada Lovelace Describes Analytical Engine Programming

In 1843, Ada Lovelace described how the Analytical Engine could be programmed in her 'Notes'.

Publication of Ada's Translation and Notes

Ada Lovelace's translation and Notes on the Analytical Engine were published on August 1, 1843.

Ada Lovelace's Struggle with Addiction

During the mid-1840s, Ada Lovelace faced health issues and was prescribed laudanum, a mixture of alcohol and opium, leading to addiction. She also developed a gambling habit during this challenging period.

From 1845, Ada Lovelace's family's main house was Horsley Towers, built in the Tudorbethan fashion by the architect Charles Barry. It was later greatly enlarged to Lovelace's own designs.

Ada Lovelace Credited for Her Work on the Analytical Engine

Although Ada Lovelace's notes on the Analytical Engine were published in 1843, she was not officially credited for her work until 1848. Her contributions to computer programming were groundbreaking and ahead of her time.

The horse racing venture

Ada collaborated with Charles Babbage to create a system for predicting gambling odds on horse races, but the venture failed, leading Ada to accumulate significant debts. She resorted to pawning the family jewels to pay off her debts in her final years.

Ada Lovelace asking Charles Babbage to be her executor

On 12 August 1851, while she was dying of cancer, Ada Lovelace wrote to Charles Babbage asking him to be her executor. This letter did not give him the necessary legal authority.

Death of Ada Lovelace

Ada Lovelace passed away on November 10, 1852. Despite her early death, her visionary ideas and contributions to computer programming have solidified her legacy as the first computer programmer.

Death of Ada Lovelace

Ada Lovelace died at the age of 36 due to uterine cancer on November 27, 1852. Despite attempts to mitigate her illness with opium and blood-letting, she succumbed to the disease.

Ada Lovelace Awarded for Being the First Computer Programmer

In 1952, Ada Lovelace was awarded for her pioneering work as the first computer programmer.

Childe Byron Play

Ada Lovelace is portrayed in Romulus Linney's 1977 play Childe Byron.

Lady Lovelace and Charles Babbage

Velma R. Huskey and Harry D. Huskey wrote about Lady Lovelace and Charles Babbage in the Annals of the History of Computing in October 1980.

Creation of Ada Programming Language

The computer language Ada was created on behalf of the United States Department of Defense and named after Ada Lovelace. The reference manual for the language was approved on 10 December 1980.

Ada: A Life and A Legacy

Dorothy Stein's book 'Ada: A Life and A Legacy' was published by MIT Press in 1985, focusing on Ada Lovelace.

Controversy over Ada Lovelace's Contribution

There is controversy surrounding Ada Lovelace's role as the first computer programmer. Some argue that most programs attributed to her were actually prepared by Charles Babbage, with whom she corresponded. While she may have identified a 'bug' in one program, there is debate over her actual programming contributions.

In Tom Stoppard's 1993 play Arcadia, a character apparently based on Ada Lovelace comes to understand chaos theory and theorises the second law of thermodynamics.

Ada Byron, Lady Lovelace, an analyst and metaphysician

B.A. Toole's article in the Annals of the History of Computing in September 1996 explored Ada Byron, Lady Lovelace, as an analyst and metaphysician.

Establishment of Lovelace Medal

The British Computer Society (BCS) established the Lovelace Medal in 1998 to honor outstanding achievements in computing.

Lovelace & Babbage and the creation of the 1843 'notes'

John Fuegi and Jo Francis delved into Lovelace & Babbage and the creation of the 1843 'notes' in the Annals of the History of Computing in October-December 2003.

Lord Byron's Novel: The Evening Land Novel

Ada Lovelace features in John Crowley's 2005 novel, Lord Byron's Novel: The Evening Land, as an unseen character whose personality is forcefully depicted in her annotations and anti-heroic efforts to archive her father's lost novel.

Forfeiture of Ada Lovelace's letter by Martin Shkreli

In December 2016, a letter written by Ada Lovelace was forfeited by Martin Shkreli to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for unpaid taxes owed by Shkreli.

Auction of the sixth copy of Sketch of the Analytical Engine

On July 20, 2018, the sixth copy of the Sketch of the Analytical Engine was sold at auction to an anonymous buyer for £95,000.

Installation of Ada Lovelace statue in London

In March 2022, a statue of Ada Lovelace was installed at the site of the former Ergon House in London, commemorating her scientific contributions and legacy. The statue was unveiled on International Women's Day.

Nvidia announces Ada Lovelace GPU microarchitecture

In September 2022, Nvidia announced the Ada Lovelace graphics processing unit (GPU) microarchitecture, showcasing technological advancements inspired by Ada Lovelace's legacy.

End of the Timeline
Ada Lovelace

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