Kathleen Booth

July 9, 1922 - September 29, 2022

Kathleen Booth was a trailblazing figure in the field of computer science, renowned for her significant contributions and pioneering spirit. Graduating with a Bachelors degree in mathematics from the University of London, she later earned a PhD in applied mathematics. Joining Birbeck College in 1942, she co-founded the School of Computer Science and Information Systems. Alongside her team, she played a pivotal role in the creation of early computers such as the ARC, SEC, and APE(X)C, despite limited resources. Notably, she authored two seminal books on computer design and programming. Her work extended beyond hardware, as she contributed to crystallography analysis, impacting DNA structure design. Moreover, her paper on modifying the ARC to create the ARC2 highlighted her innovation in computer architecture. Kathleen's legacy resonates as her work laid the foundation for the widespread adoption and advancement of computer technology, inspiring generations of innovators in the field.