Thinking Big—Ada Lovelace: Mathematician and Visionary

As part of the Computer History Museum’s (CHM) bicentennial celebration of Ada Lovelace, please join us for an in-depth discussion to gain a deeper understanding of the mathematician and visionary Ada Lovelace. University of Oxford Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science Ursula Martin, Ada Lovelace biographer Dr. Betty Toole, and retired engineer and Charles Babbage expert Tim Robinson will critically explore the complexities of Ada Lovelace within the scope of each of their fields of expertise. Topics will include Lovelace’s childhood and lifelong interest in a variety of fields and subjects, her mathematical contributions and their significance within the historical context of Victorian England, her partnership with Charles Babbage and their work together on the Analytical Engine, and her lasting legacy within computer science today.

Current research derived from the Bodleian Libraries’ archive of Lovelace papers will also be presented. This exceptional collection of primary sources, compiled by Lovelace’s mother Annabella Milbanke, provides an intimate glimpse into Lovelace’s remarkable life. Documentation from Lovelace’s childhood includes her governess’ early notes about Lovelace’s daily routine, school workbooks, and diary entries. Later correspondence comprises letters from Lovelace to her tutors, including Augustus De Morgan, Charles Babbage, and other well-known Victorian thinkers.