Ada Lovelace

Ada Lovelace was a mathematician who lived in the 1800s. She was born in London, England, in 1815. She wrote the first computer program ever. This was more than 100 years before modern computers were built.

Early Life

Ada was the daughter of the famous poet Lord Byron. Her mother encouraged her to study math and science. Ada was very smart and loved numbers. She was tutored by some of the best teachers in England.

A tiny portrait of Ada Lovelace when she was four years old.
A tiny portrait of Ada Lovelace when she was four years old. (Unknown (John Murray Publishers London) / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Ada worked with inventor Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine, an early computer design. She wrote detailed notes that included the first algorithm for a machine. She saw that computers could do more than just math. She imagined they could create music and art.

Fun Facts

  • Ada Lovelace Day is celebrated every October to honor women in science and technology.
  • She called herself an analyst and a metaphysician.
  • Ada never met her famous father, Lord Byron.

Did You Know?

A computer programming language created by the U.S. Department of Defense in the 1980s was named Ada in her honor. She is a hero to many people who work with computers today.