This exhibit explored the remarkable life of English mathematician and visionary Ada Lovelace (1815-1852). Drawing on the Lovelace papers held at the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries, Thinking Big: Ada, Countess of Lovelace featured reproductions from the Bodleian’s exceptional collection that highlight Lovelace’s mathematical prowess as well as her creativity and imagination.
Thinking Big featured rare historical documents from Lovelace’s childhood and later correspondence to and from her distinguished tutors, including Augustus De Morgan, Charles Babbage, and other well-known Victorian thinkers. Visitors could also see paintings and photographs from Lovelace’s life, and hear special audio readings of four select papers.
