My educational and social exploits brought me into contact with scientists such as Andrew Crosse, Michael Faraday, Sir David Brewster, and the author Charles Dickens, contacts which I used to further my education.

When I was a teenager, my mathematical talents led me to a long working relationship and friendship with the mathematician Charles Babbage, who is known as "the father of computers".

Ada Lovelace

You got it, S2000. This one was especially for all you math and science guys, and I had a feeling you’d get the answer pretty quickly.

My other clues were:

I was particularly interested in Babbage's work on the Analytical Engine, and I was the first to recognize that the machine had applications beyond pure calculation.

Between 1842 and 1843, I translated an article by Italian military engineer Luigi Menabrea on the calculating engine, supplementing it with an elaborate set of notes.

My notes are important in the early history of computers, containing what many consider to be the first computer program—that is, an algorithm designed to be carried out by a machine.

I also developed a vision of the capability of computers to go beyond mere calculating or number-crunching.

I described my approach as "poetical science" and saw myself as an "analyst and metaphysician".

My mindset of "poetical science" led me to ask questions about the Analytical Engine, examining how individuals and society relate to technology as a collaborative tool.

A computer language created in 1980 on behalf of the United States Department of Defense, was named after me.

I was quoted as saying: “That brain of mine is something more than merely mortal; as time will show.”

I died of uterine cancer in 1852 at the age of 36.

I had never heard of her before. After you revealed who she was, I did some reading about her. Very interesting.

Since you got the correct answer, S2000magician, it is now your turn ...

I'll have one in the morning.


I first learned of Ada Lovelace when I was learning the Ada language back in the early 1980s.

Here goes:

1. I was born in London.
2. Dogs are my favorite animals.
3. I have been married twice.

Hugh Grant?

Not Mr. Grant.

4. The stuffed toy that I was given as a child – not a teddy bear – still sits on my dresser.

5. There's a reference to me in a Far Side cartoon.

Ozzy Osborne

Not Ozzy.

6. The release of a book of which I was coauthor was delayed for one year upon discovery that portions of it were plagiarized: copied from websites about organic tea, tobacco, an "amateurish astrology site", and Wikipedia.

7. I share an interesting affliction with one of the Café's favorites (Whit Haydn): I suffer from prosopagnosia.

8. I used to be a member of the British nobility.

9. I founded an institute with its headquarters in Virginia, in the colonies.

10. I am a vegetarian, and a vocal member of many animal rights groups worldwide.

Sir Paul McCartney

Interesting guess, as Sir Paul was most definitely not born in London. And he might just be insulted by the insinuation.

11. I studied with John Napier. Not the 16th century Scottish mathematician. The other one.

Despite that clarification, I have no idea who John Napier is.

And obviously I still don't know who the mystery personality is, either.