¶ Grace Hopper: Pioneer of Computer Programming
¶ Introduction
Grace Murray Hopper was an American computer scientist, mathematician, and Navy rear admiral. Her contributions to the field of computer science are immense. She was a pioneer of computer programming and developed the first compiler, a program that translates code written in one language to another. Hopper was also a strong advocate for making computers more accessible and user-friendly.
¶ Family
She was born to Walter Fletcher Murray and Mary Campbell Van Horne Murray on December 9, 1906. She had two siblings, Roger Franklin Murray II and Mary Murray Westcote. Hopper's parents were both well-educated and supportive of her academic pursuits. Her father was an insurance salesman, and her mother was a housewife.
In 1930, she married Vincent Foster Hopper, a New York University professor. The couple had no children and divorced in 1945. Hopper never remarried.
¶ Career
Hopper received her Ph.D. in mathematics from Yale University in 1934. She joined the United States Navy Reserve in 1943 and was assigned to the Harvard Computation Laboratory, where she worked on the Mark I computer. Hopper quickly became one of the leading experts on the Mark I and developed several innovative programming techniques, including the first compiler.
After World War II, Hopper joined the Eckert–Mauchly Computer Corporation and worked on the development of the UNIVAC I, the first commercial electronic computer. She also developed the FLOW-MATIC programming language, which was later used to create the COBOL programming language, which is still in use today.
Hopper was a tireless advocate for making computers more accessible and user-friendly. She believed that computers should be used to solve real-world problems and not just for scientific research. She also believed that computer programming should be made easier to learn, and she developed several teaching methods and tools to help people learn to code.
¶ Sexism
Hopper also faced sexism in the Navy. She was initially rejected from the regular Navy because she was over the age limit, but she was able to join the reserve. However, she was not promoted to rear admiral until she was 61 years old, which was much later than many of her male colleagues.
¶ Retirement and post-retirement period
Grace Hopper retired from the Navy Reserve with the rank of captain in 1971, but was recalled to active duty in 1972. She was promoted to rear admiral in 1983 and continued to serve until her retirement in 1986. She remained on active duty for several years beyond mandatory retirement by special approval of Congress, and became one of the Navy's few female admirals.
After her retirement, Hopper was hired as a senior consultant to Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). She served in this role until her death in 1992.
¶ Awards
Hopper received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the National Medal of Technology and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was also the first woman to be promoted to rear admiral in the United States Navy. Some of the most notable awards and prizes she received include:
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal (1986). She was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the highest non-combat related military award, for her outstanding service in the United States Navy.
- National Medal of Technology (1991). She was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President George H. W. Bush in recognition of her significant contributions to the development of computer programming languages and systems.
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016, posthumous). In 2016, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Grace Hopper the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. This honor recognized her pioneering work in computer science.
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Fellow. Grace Hopper was named an ACM Fellow, an award from the Association for Computing Machinery, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of computing.
- Computer History Museum Fellow Award (1999). She was recognized as a Fellow of the Computer History Museum, acknowledging her significant impact on the history of computing.
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Pioneer Award (1981). Hopper received the IEEE Computer Pioneer Award for her substantial contributions to the development of computer systems and programming languages.
- Yale University Wilbur Cross Medal (1970):.She received the Wilbur Cross Medal from her alma mater, Yale University, for her exceptional accomplishments in the field of computer science.
¶ Legacy
Hopper's legacy is immense. She is considered to be one of the most important pioneers of computer science, and her work has had a profound impact on the way we use computers today. She is also an inspiration to women and girls everywhere, showing that they can achieve anything they set their minds to, no matter the obstacles they face.