|
Charles Babbage FRS (26 December 1791-18 October 1871) was an
English mathematician , philosopher , mechanical engineer and (proto-)
computer scientist who originated the idea of a programmable computer.
Parts of his uncompleted mechanisms are on display in the London Science
Museum. In 1991, working from Babbage's original plans, a difference engine
was completed, and functioned perfectly. Built to tolerences achievable
in the 19th century, the finished engine indicated that Babbage's machine
would have worked. Nine years later, the Science Museum completed the printer
Babbage had designed for the difference engine; it featured astonishing
complexity for a 19th century device.
Birthplace
The birthplace of Charles Babbage is disputed, but he was most likely born in 44 Crosby Row,Walworth Road, London, England. A blue plague on the junction of Larcom Street and Walworth Road commemorates the event. There was a discrepancy regarding the date of Babbage's birth, which was published in The Times obituary as 26 December 1792. However, days later a nephew of Babbage wrote to say that Babbage was born precisely one year earlier, in 1791. The parish register of St. Mary's Newington, London, shows that Babbage was baptized on 6 January 1792. Charles's father, Benjamin Babbage, was a banking partner of the Praeds who owned the Bitton Estate in Teignmouth. His mother was Betsy Plumleigh Babbage nee' Teape. In 1808, the Babbage family moved into the old Rowdens house in East Teignmouth, and Benjamin Babbage became a warden of the nearby St. Michael's Church.