Ada Lovelace

/ˈeɪdə ˈlʌvleɪs/

(London, UK; 10 December 1815 – 27 November 1852)

Field: Mathematics, Computing

Short bio: English mathematician who is widely regarded as the world's first computer programmer. She developed the first published algorithm intended to be executed by Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine, a mechanical general-purpose computer.

Why notable: She was the first person to recognize that computing machines could perform tasks beyond simple calculations and is credited with writing the first algorithm designed for machine execution. Her visionary understanding of computation anticipated many aspects of modern computer science, making her an enduring symbol of innovation in STEM.

More information: Wikipedia