Grace Hopper

About

Grace Hopper was a pioneering American computer scientist and mathematician, born on December 9, 1906, in New York City. She earned her Ph.D. in mathematics from Yale University in 1934, becoming one of the first women to achieve this degree. Hopper joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and was assigned to the Harvard Computation Lab, where she worked on the Mark I computer. Her contributions to computing include developing the first compiler, which translated English into machine code, and her role in creating COBOL, a widely used programming language. Hopper's career spanned academia, the military, and industry. She taught at Vassar College and worked with Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation and Remington Rand. In the Navy, she rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. Hopper was recognized with numerous awards, including the National Medal of Technology and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her legacy extends beyond her technical achievements, as she inspired generations of women in computing through her work and advocacy. Hopper passed away on January 1, 1992, leaving behind a lasting impact on the field of computer science.