Grace Hopper's Milestones
Birth
Grace Hopper was born in New York City to Walter Fletcher Murray and Mary Campbell Van Horne.
Early curiosity
Demonstrated early curiosity and mechanical skill, disassembling household items as a child.
Graduated from Vassar
Graduated from Vassar College with a degree in mathematics and physics.
Taught mathematics at Vassar
Taught mathematics at Vassar College, rising to associate professor.
Married Vincent Foster Hopper
Married Vincent Foster Hopper; they later divorced.
PhD from Yale
Earned a PhD in mathematics from Yale University.
Joined U.S. Navy
Joined the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II.
Assigned to Harvard Mark I
Worked on the Harvard Mark I computer project under Howard Aiken.
Popularized 'debugging'
Popularized the term 'debugging' after removing a moth from a computer relay.
Joined Eckert–Mauchly Computer Corporation
Joined Eckert–Mauchly, working on UNIVAC and developing early compilers.
Developed first compiler
Developed the first compiler (A-0 system) for a computer programming language.
COBOL development
Played a key role in the development of COBOL, a major programming language.
Numerous honors and awards
Received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Technology.
Promoted to Rear Admiral
Promoted to Rear Admiral (lower half), one of the highest ranks for a woman in the U.S. Navy.
Retirement from Navy
Retired from the U.S. Navy at age 79 as the oldest active-duty commissioned officer.
Death
Grace Hopper died in Arlington, Virginia, and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.