Person    | Male  Born 26/12/1791  Died 18/10/1871

Charles Babbage

Categories: Science, Seriously Famous

Mathematician and pioneer of the modern computer. Probably born in Crosby Row on what is now Walworth Road. Went to school at Freeman's academy in Enfield.

He was critical, to the point of rudeness, of the Royal Society, its officers and other scientists. Even his friend, Herschel, wrote that he would like to give Babbage "a good slap in the face". After his death he was described as "an irascible genius". Ada Lovelace seems to have been able to cope with him. He died at home, 1 Dorset Street.

Most of him is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery but his brain was felt too special to be allowed to turn to dust. Half is held at the Hunterian Museum and half at the Science Museum. We learnt this at Londonist's splendid post about the Cemetery.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Charles Babbage

Commemorated ati

Charles Babbage - SE17

Plaques really should contain enough information to explain their presence at...

Read More

Charles Babbage - W1

This is where Babbage died.

Read More

Other Subjects

Thomas Hancock

Thomas Hancock

Inventor and founder of the British rubber industry.  Born Wiltshire.  After schooling he moved to London and is recorded in1815 as a coach builder in Pulteney Street with a shop in St James's Stre...

Person, Science

1 memorial
Joseph Priestley

Joseph Priestley

Born at Fieldhead, in the parish of Birstal, not far from Leeds, Yorkshire. Emigrated to US in 1794. Died Northumberland, Pennsylvania. Chemist. Discovered oxygen. Had a stutter all his life. Inve...

Person, Science, USA

4 memorials
Dr John Percy

Dr John Percy

2014: Via Facebook Martin Evans suggests this man for the name panel at IC.  He was the first Professor of Metallurgy at the School of Mines so we agree, he must be our man. Born Nottingham.  Trai...

Person, Medicine, Science

1 memorial
DNA structure discovery

DNA structure discovery

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms. Although the discovery of its double heli...

Event, Science

3 memorials
Joseph Addison

Joseph Addison

Politician and writer. Born Milston, Wiltshire.

Person, Politics & Administration, Science

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Tanya Russell

Tanya Russell

Sculptor. Apprenticed for 7 years with her parents, sculptors Lorne McKean FRBS and Edwin Russell FRBS. Other works in London: Minerva at Minerva plc HQ, Wigmore Street (2005);The Hands of Justice ...

Person, Sculpture

1 memorial