Dreaming in Code: Ada Byron Lovelace, Computer Pioneer

Gr 5–8—Ada Lovelace (1815–1852), daughter of poet Lord Bryon, was raised in privilege by her mother, married into an aristocratic, titled family, and received an outstanding education for a woman in the 19th-century. Always inquisitive and showing qualities of genius, Ada had the best tutors in mathematics and science. She met many important men of science, including inventor Charles Babbage. They worked together and produced concepts that presage computer programming. These concepts, as well as Babbage's design of an analytical engine, were forerunners of today's computers. Ada's restless spirit, addiction to gambling, use of narcotics, and poor health plagued her in the last years of her life. She was never able to overcome the prejudice against women in science. For example, she wasn't allowed to enter the building of the Royal Society nor borrow books from its library. This book is divided into five parts that chronicle Ada's life. In addition to the strong supporting back matter, the use of citations is an outstanding feature of this volume.