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

George Hornidge Porter, Lord Porter of Luddenham

George Hornidge Porter, Lord Porter of Luddenham

Born Yorkshire. 1967 Nobel Laureate for his work on photosynthesis relating to the potential use of hydrogen to supply energy.

Person, Science

1 memorial
Nature

Nature

Scientific Journal published by Macmillan's. Created by Norman Lockyer to 'provide cultivated readers with an accessible forum for reading about advances in scientific knowledge' The journal's name...

Media, Journalism / Publishing, Science

1 memorial
Robert Hooke

Robert Hooke

Natural philosopher (or scientist, in today's terminology) and architect. Born Isle of Wight. Curator of Experiments at the Royal Society, Professor of Geometry at Gresham College, Surveyor to the ...

Person, Architecture, Science

1 memorial
Dr Simon Paul Wolff

Dr Simon Paul Wolff

Scientist and transport campaigner, successfully against the Archway Road Widening Scheme. He was a graduate student at Wolfson College, Oxford, 1980 - 1984. Toxicologist at the University of Londo...

Person, Science

1 memorial
IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

This is a professional association for electronic engineering and electrical engineering (and associated disciplines) with its corporate office in New York City and its operations centre in Piscata...

Group, Community / Clubs, Science, USA

2 memorials

Previously viewed

David Ricardo

David Ricardo

Born East London, 36 Broad Street Buildings.

Person, Economist, Politics & Administration

1 memorial