Maurice Wilkes
1913–2002 — England
Era: Modern
Brilliance: 9/10 | Stewardship: 8/10 | Composite Index: 72
Pioneer of stored-program computers and microcode architecture
"The real problem is that programmers have spent far too much time worrying about efficiency and not enough about correctness."
Biography
Maurice Wilkes designed and built EDSAC, one of the first practical storedprogram electronic computers, fundamentally shaping modern computing architecture. He pioneered microcode—a technique that revolutionized processor design—and mentored generations of computer scientists. His work bridged theoretical computing with practical engineering, establishing Cambridge as a global computing research center.
Key Facts
- Built EDSAC (Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator) in 1949, one of the earliest operational stored-program computers
- Invented microcode, an abstraction layer enabling flexible and efficient processor design still used today
- Directed Cambridge's computing laboratory for over 30 years, shaping British computing research
- Published 'Preparing Programs for an Electronic Computer' (1951), one of the first programming manuals
- Winner of the Turing Award (1967) for contributions to computer design and programming languages
Built the computer that taught computers to remember themselves.
Total BrainCoins: 0
Cast BrainCoins for Maurice Wilkes