New Research Explodes Myths About Ada Lovelace (ox.ac.uk)

Two mathematics historians investigated the Lovelace-Byron family archives (which are available online) to confirm the early mathematical prowess of Ada Lovelace for two scholarly journals. Slashdot reader bugs2squash shares a post from the Oxford Mathematical Institute: The work challenges widespread claims that Lovelace's mathematical abilities were more "poetical" than practical, or indeed that her knowledge was so limited that Babbage himself was likely to have been the author of the paper that bears her name. The authors pinpoint Lovelace's keen eye for detail, fascination with big questions, and flair for deep insights, which enabled her to challenge some deep assumptions in her teacher's work. They suggest that her ambition, in time, to do significant mathematical research was entirely credible, though sadly curtailed by her ill-health and early death.
Ada Lovelace died in London at age 36.

Comments

Sounds like somone I know

[phantomfive]

The work challenges widespread claims that Lovelace's mathematical abilities were more "poetical" than practical, or indeed that her knowledge was so limited that Babbage himself was likely to have been the author of the paper that bears her name. The authors pinpoint Lovelace's keen eye for detail, fascination with big questions, and flair for deep insights,

If you keep looking at the big picture, and have a flair for deep insights, soon you'll discover eye gone values and be as impressive as Malcolm Gladwell.

Wolfram did an analysis of her situation, and suggests that her capability was like that of a competent graduate student, ready to do some good work (and be a reliable manager for Babbage, who lacked self-management skills) if life (and death) hadn't intervened. The paper talks about "exploding myths" but it doesn't really, Lovlace is already extremely well revered by many, and the people who claim she is overrated are in the minority.

Re:Sounds like somone I know

[EEPROMS]

Agreed, I think people get too involved in the gender politics and they completely miss the beauty of a relationship where the sum of two minds joined together become greater than it's parts. This constant barrage of gender politics of women do this better and men do that better rubbish must stop. The reality is when a man and a woman work together we become so much more than just what our gender. All this wall building between the sexes that Universities are pushing is just horrendous and naive to say the least. People are going to never have the chance to experience the beauty of surrendering part of yourself to another and experiencing 4 arms one mind two bodies.

Re:Sounds like somone I know

[chipschap]

Well and beautifully said.

And may I add: Equality of the sexes is a given, it shouldn't even be a question. Equal and fair treatment, likewise. But the preaching of hatred and divisiveness that goes on in some gender studies curricula serves neither women nor men.