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What's a young woman to do when living in the shadow of one of the greatest romantic playwrights in modern history? Become a computer programmer....a hundred years before the computer was invented. This is the incredible story of Ada Lovelace, a brilliant woman who helped shape the technological world forever.    We sit down with Benjamin Woolley, author of Bride of Science, to talk about Ada, her life, her achievements and her role in the scientific community today. Don't forget that you can: SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON iTUNES SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON STITCHER AND LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST ON SOUNDCLOUD

The tale of America's independence is wrought with heroes who stood up for what they believed in against insurmountable odds. However, a story with heroes must also have villains. In America, the villain of the Revolution is Benedict Arnold who planned to surrender West Point to the British Empire.   However whilst Arnold is vilified in the United States much less is known about his wife, Peggy Shippen, who is said to have played a role in his treachery. I sat down with Nancy Rubin Stuart, author of Defiant Brides, to talk about this amazing but unknown woman. Don't forget that you can:   SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON iTUNES SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON STITCHER AND LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST ON SOUNDCLOUD

 If you've spent any time outside at night recently then you'll know that it's filled with millions upon millions of stars. For centuries, we didn't understand what we were looking at, just that they were looking back at us, but we know so much more thanks to an incredible scientific duo: Edwin Hubble and Milton Humason. We are joined by Brian Ventrudo from One Minute Astronomer  to talk about the man whose love for mountains led to him opening the door to the universe. Don't forget that you can: SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON iTUNES SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON STITCHER AND LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST ON SOUNDCLOUD

It's difficult to imagine the absolute power that comes with being ordained by God. Throughout history, only a select few have wielded the authority of the British throne, and of them even fewer were women. Today we look at one of England's lesser-known Queen's, Lady Jane Grey, who ruled England for but 9 days.  We are joined by Leanda de Lisle, author of The Sisters Who Would Be Queen; The Tragedy of Mary, Katherine and Lady Jane Grey to talk about the young woman who challenged every convention and gained ultimate power at the age of only 17. Interested in finding out more about Lady Jane? Purchase Leanda's book on Amazon here Find out more about Leanda on her website here. Don't forget that you can: SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON iTUNES SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON STITCHER

There are few people who have truly captured the American consciousness like Fanny Fern. Once the highest paid columnist of her day she was the person who America turned to when they needed to hear a clarion cry of progressivism. With the issue of slavery and the Civil War dominating the headlines and the lives of Americans it was Fanny who pressed the hot button topics which caused controversy both in and outside the home. Many of these topics, including divorce, prostitution, birth control and children's rights, were taboo subjects and Fanny shocked her audiences when she talked about them openly. We're joined by Debra Brenagen, author of Shame the Devil, who writes passionately about Fanny and her role as a feminist, journalist and author. Find out more about Debra at her website Don't forget that you can: SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON iTUNES SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON STITCHER

For our second episode of Distinguished Lives we are taking a peek behind the scenes of the convoluted world that is the Middle East peace process. Alfred 'Roy' Atherton was the US Ambassador to Egypt in 1979 and played a major role in helping organise and promote the Camp David Summit which heralded the Israel-Egypt peace treaty, a treaty which survives to this day. We are lucky enough to get to talk to Kelsey D Atherton, national security writer for Popular Science and grandson of Alfred Atherton, who enlightened us about the man behind the ambassador. Hear Alfred Atherton talk about his time in the MIddle East in this clip from 1986 Don't forget that you can: SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON iTUNES SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON STITCHER

For our first episode of Distinguished Lives it is fitting that we examine the life of Elizabeth Ellet. A noted journalist and historian in her own right, who helped America understand the important role of women in the Revolutionary War, Ellet has since been remembered for a minor role she played in a scandal with Edgar Allen Poe. Today we are joined by Erin Riley, a journalist and podcaster, whose Masters thesis explored the role that Ellet played but also how she had been tarnished by fans of Poe. To learn more about Erin Riley please visit her website here and her podcast here Ellet's book 'Women of the American Revolution' is currently available (out of copyright) here Don't forget that you can: SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON iTUNES SUBSCRIBE TO DISTINGUISHED LIVES ON STITCHER