Contents
Overview
Maurice Wilkes was born on 26 June 1913 in Dudley, England. He studied at the University of Cambridge, where he earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics and later his Ph.D. in physics under the supervision of Ernest Rutherford. Wilkes' early work at Cambridge led to his involvement in the development of the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC), one of the earliest stored-program computers, alongside Douglas Hartree and Tom Kilburn.
🔍 Contributions to Computer Science
Wilkes' contributions to computer science are numerous and significant. He is credited with inventing microprogramming, a method for using stored-program logic to operate the control unit of a central processing unit's circuits. This innovation led to the development of more efficient and powerful computers. Wilkes also worked on the design and construction of the EDSAC, which was first operational in 1949 and used for various scientific calculations, including those related to Alan Turing's work on codebreaking. The EDSAC's success paved the way for the development of commercial computers, such as those produced by IBM.
🌐 Legacy and Impact
Maurice Wilkes' legacy extends beyond his technical contributions. He was a prolific writer and educator, authoring several books on computer science, including 'Automatic Digital Computers' and 'Time-Sharing Computer Systems'. Wilkes was also a dedicated teacher and mentor, supervising numerous Ph.D. students at the University of Cambridge, including Roger Needham. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of computer science, influencing generations of researchers and engineers, such as Tim Berners-Lee and Brian Kernighan.
🏆 Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Wilkes received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to computer science. In 1967, he was awarded the ACM Turing Award, considered the 'Nobel Prize of Computing', for his work on microprogramming and the development of the EDSAC. Wilkes was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1956 and was knighted in 2000 for his services to computer science. At the time of his death on 29 November 2010, Wilkes was an Emeritus Professor at the University of Cambridge, a position he held since 1980, and had previously worked with David Wheeler on various projects.
Key Facts
- Year
- 1913-2010
- Origin
- Dudley, England
- Category
- technology
- Type
- person
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Maurice Wilkes' contribution to computer science?
What awards did Maurice Wilkes receive?
Maurice Wilkes was awarded the ACM Turing Award in 1967 for his work on microprogramming and the development of the EDSAC. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1956 and was knighted in 2000 for his services to computer science, an honor also bestowed upon Stephen Hawking.
What is the significance of the EDSAC?
The EDSAC was one of the earliest stored-program computers, and its development marked a significant milestone in the history of computer science. It was used for various scientific calculations, including those related to codebreaking, and paved the way for the development of commercial computers, such as those produced by Apple and Google.
Who were some of Maurice Wilkes' notable collaborators?
Maurice Wilkes collaborated with several notable computer scientists, including Douglas Hartree and Tom Kilburn on the development of the EDSAC, as well as Ernest Rutherford during his Ph.D. studies. He also worked with Roger Needham and David Wheeler on various projects.
What is microprogramming?
Microprogramming is a method for using stored-program logic to operate the control unit of a central processing unit's circuits. It was invented by Maurice Wilkes and has had a significant impact on the development of modern computers, with applications in fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning.