Biography of Charles Babbage, Mathematician who invented the world's first computer

Who else is called the Father of Computers if not Charles Babbage? Actually, how did Charles Babbage's
journey and discoveries change the world of technology and computers?

Table of Contents

Personal Life and Education of Charles Babbage

Charles Babbage Born

Fighting Disease While Getting an Education

Further Education at Cambridge

Married and Had Children

Charles Babbage's Work and Inventions

As an Educator

Inventor of the Computer

Other Works

Death and Legacy

Charles Babbage's Tomb

Babbage's Brain in the Museum

Personal Life and Education of Charles Babbage

Charles Babbage Born

Babbage's birthplace is actually rather mysterious. It is still debatable whether he was born in the
Southwark area, Walworth Street, or other parts of London.

What is certain is that Charles Babbage was born on December 26, 1791 in the City of London, England,
to Benjamin Babbage and Betsy Plumleigh Teape.

Babbage's family was relatively well-off. His father was a banker at Praed's & Co and a landowner of
Bitton in Teignmouth. Meanwhile, his grandfather was the mayor of Totnes in England.
Since childhood, Babbage was known as a brilliant child who was full of curiosity. He often asked his
mother, Elizabeth, about every toy he got. In fact, Babbage also liked to take apart his own toys to find
out how they worked.

In addition, Babbage also showed an interest in mathematics from a young age. He learned algebra on
his own.

Since Babbage came from a wealthy family, he was able to get a quality education. What kind of
education did Babbage receive from childhood to adulthood?

Fighting Disease While Getting an Education

Babbage's childhood was characterized by a struggle against a deadly disease. Reportedly, Babbage
suffered from severe fever since the age of five. Because of its severity, little Babbage once almost died.

In order to focus on the healing process of the disease, Babbage, who was eight years old at the time,
was transferred to a rural school located in the Alphington area.

In 1808, the family moved to the Rowdens' home in East Teignmouth. Babbage was educated at King
Edward VI Grammar School in Totnes, East Devon. However, his health deteriorated again and he
eventually switched to education with private tutors.

King Edward VI Grammar School in Totnes

Despite his strong financial backing, Babbage's educational journey was not that smooth. The cool thing
about Babbage is that he was still eager to learn, especially mathematics, despite his illness.

Babbage then joined Holmwood Academy, located on Baker Street, Enfield, Middlesex. Here, he could
enjoy a library that supported his passion for learning math.

After leaving the academy, Babbage learned from two other private tutors before finally attending
Trinity College, Cambridge.

Further Education at Cambridge

Initially, Babbage began his further education at Trinity College, Cambridge University, in October 1810.
However, it turns out that he felt disappointed with the education he received there. Can you guess
because of what?

Charles Babbage had always loved math. So, he actually learned a lot of material and read books or
writings from various previous mathematicians.

During his time at Trinity College, he felt that he had learned and knew what was being taught. In
addition, it turned out that Babbage was smarter or understood math better than the teachers there.
Well, what the heck...
Moving on from Babbage's dissatisfaction with the mathematics lessons there, in 1812, Charles Babbage
and his friends including John Herschel and George Peacock started the Analytical Society, an
organization that promoted the use of Leibnizian notation for differentiation in calculus.

In the same year, Babbage transferred to Peterhouse College, Cambridge University. Two years later, he
graduated in 1814 without examination. Babbage was recognized as one of the top mathematicians
there.

Although Babbage was known to be smart and really good at math, he never received his diploma or
certificate of completion. He also didn't graduate cum laude even though he must have gotten good
grades.

This was because Babbage's thesis discussed a different perspective on religion and explicitly stated that
God was more like an instrument of the world than a spiritual force.

Because of his thesis, Babbage was accused of insulting God. Eventually, the thesis was not accepted as
a requirement for the graduation exam.

Married and Had Children

In the same year as his graduation, Babbage married Georgiana Whitmore at St. Michael's Church in
Teignmouth, Devon. Although this marriage was against the wishes of Babbage's father, they were able
to have children.