As I, Ada Lovelace, navigated the 19th century, my journey unfolded with a unique blend of curiosity and intellect. Born to the flamboyant poet Lord Byron and the mathematician Annabella Milbanke, my early years were marked by a quest for knowledge. My mother, determined to shield me from my father's tumultuous reputation, steered my education towards mathematics and logic. Growing up in the intellectual circles of London, my fascination with machines and numbers flourished. When introduced to Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine, a groundbreaking invention of the time, my mind ignited with possibilities. Collaborating with Babbage, I translated an article by the Italian mathematician Luigi Federico Menabrea, adding extensive notes that surpassed the original work. Those notes contained what later became known as the first published algorithm meant for implementation on a machine, making me the world's first computer programmer. My vision extended beyond mere calculations; I envisioned the potential of machines to create art and music, demonstrating a foresight that surpassed the technological constraints of my era. Though the Analytical Engine was never fully realized in my lifetime, my contributions laid the foundation for the future of computing. As the world catches up to the concepts I penned in the 1840s, I, Ada Lovelace, stand as a pioneer who saw the boundless potential of combining creativity with mathematics, leaving an indelible mark on the evolution of computing.

Fi Marks

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Fi Marks an extraordinary Derbyshire artist  Who speaks for the women whose stories were twisted over time to become unrecognisable? Fi Marks, an artist who lives and works in Belper, has made it her mission in life to be the visual voice for women, both real and fictional. “I noticed from a very young age that the women in the stories I loved were turned into shrews or made into villains, when in so many cases they were the victims in the stories. Oftentimes, having to be cunning to be heard in a world of men,” Fi says. “As I’ve gone through life, it’s become increasingly important to me to be heard. I still have a voice, but these women do not.” In researching her subjects, Fi looks for stories that catch her in the heart. From Ann Boleyn to Morgan Le Fay, Fi researches her subjects relentlessly. “With a background in theatre and drama, not to mention living in Belper, Derbyshire an area with a history of textile manufacturing and strong women, I love to research not only their stories but the fabrics of the times as well. My women are surrounded by my interpretation of the patterns and symbols they would have had in their lives.” Fi’s art stands alone as she has developed a unique style over the years, with every painting deceptively simple on the surface but incredibly complex on closer look. “My art sells around the world because it’s so different,” Fi says. “No one else tells the stories, has the symbols, and is so passionate about righting the wrongs in history and literature like I am. I know my clients see themselves in my art, and are empowered by it. At the end of the day, that’s what matters.” You can see Fi Marks’ art on her website at www.fimarks-art.co.uk where you can also read the stories she’s researched, and sign up for her weekly newsletter. You can also follow her on Social Media  https://www.facebook.com/fiona.marks.14