The second Tuesday in October is Ada Lovelace Day, celebrating the incredible achievements of this mathematical genius.
Ada was born Augusta Ada Byron on 10 December 1815. Her parents were Lord Byron and Anne Isabella Milbanke (1792-1860). She was Byron's only legitimate child and shortly after she was born, her parents separated and Byron went abroad. She was strictly brought up and educated by her mother and very early on developed an interest in mathematics and mechanics. You can read about the life and achievements of this remarkable woman here.
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| Augusta Ada Byron |
Scottish writer John Galt met Lord Byron while travelling in the Mediterranean in 1809 and they remained friends. Galt wrote a biography of Byron which was published in 1830. In the biography there is only one mention of Byron's daughter, Ada. Galt writes about Byron’s final hours in April 1824:-
“From that time his Lordship grew every hour weaker and
weaker; and he had occasional flights of delirium. In the intervals he was, however, quite
self-possessed, and said to Fletcher, “I now begin to think I am seriously ill;
and in case I should be taken off suddenly, I wish to give you several
directions, which I hope you will be particular in seeing executed.”
Byron then goes on to tell William Fletcher, his valet: -
“Oh, my poor dear child – my dear Ada! My God, could I have but seen her – give her
my blessing – and my dear sister Augusta, and her children – and you will go to
Lady Byron and say – tell her everything – you are friends with her.”
Byron continued:-
"Fletcher, now if you do not execute every order which I have
given you, I will torment you hereafter, if possible.”
After Byron's death, Fletcher returned to Britain and was dependent on Byron's sister, Augusta Leigh for funds.
