Grace Hopper
Computer Scientist & Naval Rear Admiral
About
Grace Hopper (1906–1992) was an American computer scientist and United States Navy Rear Admiral who was a pioneer of computer programming. She invented the first compiler, which translated written language into computer code, and was instrumental in developing COBOL, one of the first high-level programming languages designed for business use. She popularized the term 'debugging' after finding an actual moth causing problems in the Harvard Mark II computer. Known as 'Amazing Grace,' her vision that programming languages should be closer to English than machine code revolutionized computing and made it accessible to a far wider audience.
Key Contributions
- Invented the first compiler (A-0 System)
- Instrumental in developing COBOL programming language
- Popularized the term 'debugging' in computing
- One of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I
- Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2016
Videos & Interviews
Grace Hopper NSA Lecture: Future Possibilities (Part 1)
NSA Lecture (1982): 'Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People' - Part One (~1 hour)
Watch on YouTube
Grace Hopper NSA Lecture: Future Possibilities (Part 2)
NSA Lecture (1982): 'Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People' - Part Two (~1 hour)
Watch on YouTube
