Ada Agusta, Countess of Lovelace, was a most romantic figure 
in the history of computing.  Ada, the daughter of Lord Byron 
(the English poet), was herself quite a mathematician.  She 
became interested in Babbage's work on the analytical engine 
and extended his ideas (and corrected some of his errors).  
Ada is credited with being the first programmer.  The concept 
of the loop--a series of instructions that repeat--is 
attributed to her.  Ada, the language used by the Department 
of Defense, is named for her. 