How did a scandalous 19th-century countess help create the modern era of computing?

Ada Lovelace was a most unlikely computer pioneer.
Born in the early 19th century, this daughter of romantic poet Lord Byron was a scandalous socialite who became known as the ‘enchantress of numbers’.
In this Ada Lovelace documentary Dr Hannah Fry tells the enthralling tale of a life infused with brilliance, but blighted by illness and gambling addiction.
How did this aristocratic countess become a prophet of the digital age?
Watch Calculating Ada: The Countess of Computing and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.
More documentaries you might like...

Elton John: Uncensored
Elton John opens up to Graham Norton about his childhood, stardom and addiction battles.

A Life in Ten Pictures - Freddie Mercury
The life of Queen's Freddie Mercury told through photographs

Gauguin: The Full Story
Why was the life of influential artist Paul Gauguin mired in controversy and conflict?

Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette is considered decadent, uncaring, and reprehensible. But is this fair?

Arthur: King of the Britons
Why do so many myths and stories surround King Arthur? And did he even exist?

Hitler: A Life In Pictures
Photos and film reveal the public and private life of Germany's infamous dictator.

Hitler: A Life In Pictures
Photos and film reveal the public and private life of Germany's infamous dictator.

Turkey: The Rise of Erdogan's Empire
How did Recep Tayyip Erdogan become the most powerful leader in Turkey’s recent history?

Mark Zuckerberg: The Billionaires Who Made Our World
The story of the boy genius who changed the way we communicate forever.

Europe’s Royals Revealed with Katty Kay
What is the point of modern monarchy? Katty Kay visits Europe’s remaining royals.

Europe’s Royals Revealed with Katty Kay
What is the point of modern monarchy? Katty Kay visits Europe’s remaining royals.

Jeff Bezos: The Billionaires Who Made Our World
The amazing transformation of Jeff Bezos from nerd to one of the world's richest men.

Daft Punk: Unchained
Just who are Daft Punk and how do they stay so successful while remaining so mysterious?

Roberta Flack: Killing Me Softly
The astonishing story of one of the biggest music stars of the 1970s: Roberta Flack.

The Source Family
Meet Father Yod and his wild 1970s Hollywood commune, rock band and health restaurant.

Princess Anne: The Seven Loves of Her Life
The complex and at times scandalous love life of Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter.

The Amol Rajan Interviews: Billie Jean King
The tennis legend opens up about her incredible life and career

The Amol Rajan Interviews: Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic discusses his incredible career and events during the pandemic

Before They Were Royal
The story of Prince Philip, Camilla Parker-Bowles and more before they became royal

Schindler: The Real Story
How did Oskar Schindler differ from the one seen in the famous film?

Princess Diana: A Life After Death
How Princess Diana's tragic death and legacy changed the British monarchy forever.

Princess Margaret: Queen of Mustique
Scandal and gossip stalked Princess Margaret on the luxurious island of Mustique.

Downfall of the Porn King: The Ron Jeremy Story
The rise and fall of porn star, Ron Jeremy.

A Life In Ten Pictures: John Lennon
Photographs help to reveal the true nature of music icon and Beatles star John Lennon.

When the Queen Spoke to the Nation
Exploring the Queen’s annual Christmas Day messages and other special addresses.

Picturing Elizabeth: Her Life in Pictures
The stories behind some of the most famous and era-defining pictures of Queen Elizabeth II.

A Life In Ten Pictures: Muhammad Ali
Ten photographs show a different side of boxer Muhammad Ali

A Life In Ten Pictures: Elizabeth Taylor
The life of Elizabeth Taylor told through 10 pictures

Thatcher & Reagan
What was the attraction between these two world leaders and how did it change history?

Elizabeth I and II: The Golden Queens
Exploring the parallels between Queen Elizabeth I and II

My Years with the Queen
What’s it like to be close friends with Queen Elizabeth II? Lady Pamela Hicks reveals all.

Kissinger: Statesman or War Criminal?
Henry Kissinger: canny political operator or a despicable war criminal?

The Queen Mother
The triumphs and pain that came to define the woman affectionately known as the Queen Mum.

Confucius
The remarkable story of a great thinker who helped to form a nation and shape the world.

Simon Schama's Shakespeare and Us
A Bard’s tale. How Shakespeare united the intellectual and populist like no one else.

Zelensky: The Making of a President
The transformation of Ukraine's President Zelensky from comic to respected world leader.

Mad Dog: Inside the Secret World of Muammar Gaddafi
Regime of terror: a horrifying portrait of Libya’s leader from the insiders who made him.

In Louboutin's Shoes
Sole man. Inside the fashion world of footwear designer Christian Louboutin.

Reclaiming Amy
The friends and family of Amy Winehouse reveal the truth about the British music icon.

Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards
What drives the legendary shoe designer and self-confessed 'cobbler' Manolo Blahnik?

David Bowie: Finding Fame
How did humble David Jones become David Bowie - an icon that transformed music forever?

Vincent: The Full Story
What do we really know about Vincent van Gogh, arguably the world’s most famous artist?
Economics & Technology

The Billionaires Who Made Our World
Revealing profiles of tech giants Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos.

Billion Dollar Downfall
The incredible tale of the once-noted and respected tycoon, now facing 291 years in jail.

Bill Gates: The Billionaires That Made Our World
Why did billionaire Bill Gates give up his business empire to try and save the world?

Brunel: Building a Great Britain
A portrait of one the greatest and most innovative engineering geniuses that ever lived.

Elon Musk's Twitter Storm
How has Twitter changed under the new, controversial ownership of Elon Musk?

Data Overload: Is The Cloud Damaging The Planet?
What is the environmental cost of moving our lives online and into the cloud?

Elon Musk – Superhero or Supervillain?
A look beyond the hype and headlines at the world's richest man.

The Industrial Revolution
Unraveling the mysteries behind the Industrial Revolution in 19th century Britain

Generation Porn
What impact is the free porn revolution having on those who watch and create it?

Magic Numbers
Brilliant mathematician Hannah Fry explores the mystery of math and the wonder of numbers.
BBC Select Email Newsletter
Sign up to be the first to know about new shows on BBC Select, the latest collection of documentaries and other content from BBC Studios we think you’ll enjoy.