Alan Turing

Where to even begin with one to the giants of computer science. Dr. Alan Turing (1912-1954) was a pioneering British mathematician and computer scientist whose work laid the foundations for modern computing. During World War II, Turing played a key role in breaking the German Enigma code, significantly aiding the Allied war effort. His theoretical work, especially the concept of the Turing Machine, introduced the idea of a universal machine capable of performing any computation, forming the basis of modern computer architecture. Turing also proposed the Turing Test, a method for evaluating a machine's ability to exhibit human-like intelligence. His groundbreaking contributions to cryptography, computation, and artificial intelligence have had a lasting impact, shaping the field of computer science as we know it today.

Christopher Strachey

Christopher Strachey (1916–1975) was a pioneering British computer scientist known for his work in programming language design and time-sharing. Initially a physicist during WWII, Strachey transitioned to computing in the early 1950s, creating one of the first video games, a game of checkers, and programming the first computer-generated music on the University of Manchester's Ferranti Mark 1 computer.

He contributed to the development of the Combined Programming Language (CPL) and formalized key programming concepts like polymorphism and referential transparency. Strachey worked at the National Research Development Corporation before moving to academia, becoming the first director of the Programming Research Group at Oxford University in 1965. His influential lecture notes shaped modern programming languages, and he was instrumental in advancing the field of denotational semantics with Dana Scott. 

Edie Windsor

Edith Windsor (1929–2017) was a trailblazing computer scientist and a pivotal LGBT rights activist. As a senior systems programmer at IBM, Windsor made significant contributions to mainframe programming, operating systems, and natural language processing. Her technological expertise at IBM in the 1960s and 70s earned her recognition as a “top-notch debugger.” After founding a software consulting firm in 1975, Windsor used her technical skills to empower LGBTQ+ groups, helping them modernize their systems.

Windsor’s lasting impact extends beyond technology. As the lead plaintiff in the landmark 2013 U.S. Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor, she successfully challenged the Defense of Marriage Act, paving the way for federal recognition of same-sex marriages. Her victory helped catalyze broader marriage equality reforms in the United States, underscoring how her pioneering work in tech and her courage as an activist changed both the computing landscape and the fight for civil rights.

Peter Landin

Peter Landin (1930-2009) was a foundational figure in computer science, best known for applying lambda calculus to programming language theory—an insight that became critical to functional programming and denotational semantics. He invented the SECD machine, the first abstract machine for functional languages, and created ISWIM, a conceptual programming language that influenced later language design. Landin also coined the terms syntactic sugar and off-side rule, the latter enabling indentation-based syntax in languages like Haskell and Python.

His contributions helped shape ALGOL 60 and its understanding, impacting generations of programming language designers, including Tony Hoare. Landin played a key role in establishing programming language standards through his work with IFIP. His landmark 1966 paper The Next 700 Programming Languages humorously and insightfully addressed the proliferation of languages, highlighting the need for principled design.

Lynn Conway

Lynn Conway (1938-2024) was a pioneering computer scientist and electrical engineer whose innovations fundamentally reshaped modern computing. At IBM in the 1960s, she invented generalized dynamic instruction handling, a breakthrough enabling out-of-order execution in modern processors.After IBM fired her in 1968 upon learning of her gender transition, she resumed her career under a new identity and later emerged as a leader at Xerox PARC. There, she co-developed the Mead–Conway VLSI design methodology, which revolutionized microchip design and enabled the rise of the electronic design automation industry. 

Conway’s work led to the development of scalable chip design rules and the MOSIS service for prototyping integrated circuits. These contributions laid the foundation for today’s chip manufacturing and the foundry model. As a professor at the University of Michigan and a key figure in DARPA's Strategic Computing Initiative, Conway's influence extended across academia, industry, and national defense. Her legacy continues to shape the architecture of modern digital systems.

Danielle Bunten Berry

Danielle Bunten Berry (1949–1998) was a pioneering game designer whose innovative work laid the foundation for modern multiplayer gaming. She is best known for creating M.U.L.E. (1983), a groundbreaking economic strategy game that emphasized cooperation and competition among players, and The Seven Cities of Gold (1984), an exploration and colonization game. 

Berry's focus on multiplayer experiences was ahead of its time, as she believed games should be social activities that bring people together. Her designs often incorporated complex economic systems and required players to interact, trade, and strategize collectively. Her contributions were recognized posthumously with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Computer Game Developers Association in 1998 and induction into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 2007. Berry's legacy continues to influence game designers who prioritize player interaction and community in gaming experiences.

Jon "Maddog" Hall

Jon "maddog" Hall (1950-) is a prominent figure in the world of open-source technology and Linux. Best known as the board chair of the Linux Professional Institute, he has been a tireless advocate for Linux and free software for decades. During his time at Digital Equipment Corporation, Hall played a pivotal role in supporting Linus Torvalds’ first port of Linux to the Alpha platform, laying the groundwork for Linux’s widespread adoption in enterprise computing.

Beyond corporate work, Hall has contributed to numerous open-source and educational initiatives. He co-founded the Brazilian IoT and single-board computer project Caninos Loucos and leads Project Cauã, a Latin American initiative leveraging open-source hardware and software to create sustainable tech jobs in dense urban areas. His ongoing work, including advocating for Linux at global conferences and helping port Linux to the ARM 64-bit architecture, has made Hall a significant voice in shaping how open-source technologies power modern computing.

Sally Ride

Dr. Sally Ride (1951–2012) was a trailblazing physicist and astronaut who made lasting contributions to space technology and science education. In 1983, she became the first American woman in space, operating the Space Shuttle Challenger’s robotic arm and helping deploy satellites—key tasks that advanced shuttle-era capabilities. She later contributed to NASA’s safety protocols by serving on the investigation boards for both the Challenger and Columbia disasters. 

After leaving NASA, Ride became a physics professor at UC San Diego, where she conducted research in astrophysics. She also co-founded Sally Ride Science, an organization aimed at improving STEM education and encouraging young people, especially girls, to pursue science careers. Her technical expertise, leadership in crisis, and dedication to science outreach solidified her impact on both aerospace innovation and STEM access.

Mary Ann Horton

Dr. Mary Ann Horton (1955-) is a pioneering computer scientist whose technical contributions helped shape the early Internet and modern computing. While at Berkeley, she developed tools essential to UNIX systems, including the vi editor, terminfo, and uuencode, the first method for sending binary files via email. Horton was instrumental in expanding Usenet from a small academic network to a global system, co-developing the B News software and championing the adoption of Internet domains, helping lay the foundation for today’s email and domain infrastructure. She also played a key role in integrating Berkeley UNIX features into UNIX System V at Bell Labs.

Beyond her technical work, Horton is a trailblazer in workplace equality. She successfully lobbied Lucent Technologies to become the first major U.S. company to adopt transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination language and championed transgender health benefits at other corporations. Her advocacy has had a lasting impact on corporate diversity policies and healthcare inclusion for transgender individuals.

Sophie Wilson

Sophie Wilson (1957-) is a pioneering English computer scientist best known for co-designing the ARM processor architecture, which powers over 95% of smartphones today. Beginning her career at Acorn Computers, she helped design the BBC Micro and developed BBC BASIC, key tools in the UK’s 1980s computer literacy push. In 1983, Wilson began designing the instruction set for the ARM chip, creating a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor that proved revolutionary for energy-efficient computing. Her later work included video systems for Acorn and leading development on the Firepath processor at Broadcom. She has received numerous honors, including fellowships with the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, a CBE, and the 2022 Draper Prize for Engineering. Wilson’s technical innovations have shaped the foundation of mobile and embedded computing, influencing the design of billions of devices worldwide.

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It’s beautiful to look at these icons in chronological order, to see how their work is interconnected with each other, as well as with our work and lives today. On the other hand, it’s heartbreaking to consider how some of the earliest pioneers of computer science were persecuted and shamed for their LGBTQ+ identity. We chose to focus on their contributions over their personal challenges in this article, but suffice to say, while they were revolutionizing the field, many of these icons faced personal challenges due to their identity. As we celebrate Pride this year, we also celebrate those who weren’t free to celebrate in their time, and we share our gratitude for their work and lives.

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