💻 Ada Lovelace Day: Celebrating a Trailblazing Woman of STEM in Kirkby Mallory
Every year on the second Tuesday of October, the world celebrates Ada Lovelace Day – an international tribute to women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). First launched in 2009, this day honours the achievements of women past and present who’ve shaped the future of innovation.
One of the most remarkable figures in STEM history is Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace. Better known as Ada Lovelace, the brilliant British mathematician who wrote the world’s first computer algorithm. And here in our little corner of Leicestershire, we’re proud to share a special connection to her legacy.
🏛️ Ada Lovelace & Kirkby Mallory: A Local Legacy
Just steps from Mallory Meadows holiday cabins, nestled beside All Saints Church in Kirkby Mallory, you’ll find a Grade II listed memorial to Ada Lovelace. This striking Gothic monument was commissioned by her mother, Lady Anne Isabella Noel Byron, following Ada’s death in 1852.
At first glance, it appears to sit within the churchyard. However, look a little closer and you’ll notice it’s just outside the boundary. Why? According to local rumours, the church refused permission for the memorial to be placed within its grounds. The reason? Ada’s father—Lord Byron, the famously flamboyant Romantic poet—was considered too controversial.
As a result, the memorial was built just beyond the church’s reach. And here’s the twist: it now falls within the grounds of Mallory Meadows. We were genuinely thrilled to discover this unexpected connection to such a pioneering figure in science and mathematics.
🏡 The Noel Family & Kirkby Hall
Ada was born in London on 10 December 1815, the daughter of George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, and Anne Isabella Noel (née Milbanke). Her maternal family, the Noels, had deep roots in Kirkby Mallory, with connections to the Kirkby Hall estate dating back over 370 years.
In 1815, Ada’s grandparents, Lady Judith Noel and Sir Ralph Milbanke, inherited Kirkby Hall from Lady Judith’s brother, Lord Wentworth. To honour the terms of his will, they changed their surname from Milbanke to Noel.
👩👧 Childhood in Kirkby Mallory
After a turbulent marriage, Ada’s mother moved with her infant daughter to Kirkby Hall, where Ada spent much of her early childhood. Though the hall was demolished in 1952, you can still find a blue plaque in Ada’s honour on the corner of the old coach house—now part of Mallory Park Race Track.
Despite suffering serious illnesses as a child—including vision-obscuring headaches and a bout of measles that left her temporarily paralysed—Ada was a gifted student. Her education focused on mathematics and science, subjects her mother believed would keep her grounded and rational.
🧠 Ada Lovelace: The First Computer Programmer
In her adult life, Ada married William, 8th Baron King, in 1835 and became Countess of Lovelace in 1838. Together, they had three children: Byron, Anne Isabella, and Ralph Gordon.
Between 1842 and 1843, Ada collaborated with inventor Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine—a mechanical general-purpose computer. Ada’s notes included a detailed algorithm for how the machine could calculate numbers, making her the first computer programmer in history.
Her visionary thinking extended beyond mathematics; she imagined machines that could compose music and create art—ideas that resonate with today’s digital age.
🕊️ Final Years & Memorial
Ada Lovelace died of cancer on 27 November 1852, aged just 36. At her request, she was buried beside her father in St Mary Magdalene Church, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.
Her memorial in Kirkby Mallory stands as a quiet tribute to her brilliance, resilience, and pioneering spirit. It’s a must-see for history lovers and a meaningful stop for guests staying at Mallory Meadows.
🌿 Visit the Ada Lovelace Memorial During Your Stay
Whether you’re here for a hot tub holiday in Leicestershire, a romantic retreat, or a countryside escape, you are invited to explore the Ada Lovelace Memorial just steps from your cabin. It’s a beautiful way to connect with local history and celebrate a woman whose legacy continues to inspire.
Find out more in our FREE Mallory Meadows Digital Guide.
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