Volunteers from The Ada Lovelace in Hinckley Project have worked tirelessly to raise the necessary funds to commission sculptors, the foundry, and installation experts.
Project leader, Stan Rooney said: “This ambitious and aspirational project has been entirely funded by local individuals, local organisations and private benefactors. This is a tribute to their faith in the project and of course a massive tribute to Ada Lovelace’s connections with the town.”
Mr Rooney added: “Ada Lovelace was remarkably ahead of her time. Not only did she help Charles Babbage with his conception of an early computer, but she showed that a computer could be programmed and that it had applications beyond just crunching numbers.”
The daughter of romantic poet Lord Byron, Ada Lovelace was born in 1815 in London. Shortly after her birth, Ada’s parents separated, and she never met her father. The mother and daughter came away from London to settle at the now demolished Kirkby Mallory Hall, approximately five miles (8km) from Hinckley in Leicestershire. Ada took delight as a child in accompanying her grandmother on visits to Hinckley. She was enthralled and fell in love with the place.
Ada’s love of science, maths and machines kept her occupied for hours and her mathematical abilities began to shine through. Her work on The Analytical Engine, inspired Alan Turing, during his codebreaking work at Bletchley Park.
Mr Rooney added: “We know that there is international interest in this project from the feedback we have received already. The current Lord Byron is extremely impressed with the project and Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Oxford University, Professor Dame Ursula Martin, one of the country’s leading experts on Ada Lovelace, has wished the project all the very best and good luck with the unveiling.”
Heralded as the world’s first computer programmer, Ada’s reputation has risen internationally, and she is now recognised across the globe as an icon and inspiration for young women to pursue careers in STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Marion Plant OBE, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, said: “This statue will stand as a visible reminder to our students, staff and the wider community that ambition, curiosity and talent can change the world. We hope that it will particularly encourage people, especially girls and young women, to consider opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, areas that are central to both Ada Lovelace’s legacy and the College’s curriculum”.
