Augusta Ada Byron

Women in Science

Augusta Ada Byron- December 10, 1815 - November 27, 1852

About

Between 1842 and 1843, Augusta Ada Byron translated an article written in French by Italian mathematician Luigi Menabrea on a calculating machine known as an Analytical Engine. Byron supplemented her own notes to the translation, in which she anticipated the machine would one day become capable of performing multiple tasks ranging in complexity and function.

In her later work, Byron developed a program that would allow the Analytical Machine to calculate certain mathematical sequences. This came to be seen as the first computer program.

Did you know? 

In 1838, Byron gained the title “Countess of Lovelace” after her husband, William King, inherited a noble title.

In 1979 a software program of the U.S Department of Defense was named “Ada” after Augusta Ada Byron.