# Maurice Wilkes

> British computer scientist (1913–2010)

**Wikidata**: [Q62857](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62857)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Wilkes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maurice-wilkes

## Summary
Maurice Wilkes was a British computer scientist known for pioneering early computer design and software development. He led the team that built the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC), one of the first practical stored-program computers, and later made foundational contributions to microprogramming and computer architecture.

## Biography
- Born: 26 June 1913, Dudley, United Kingdom
- Nationality: United Kingdom
- Education: St John's College, University of Cambridge (BA 1934, PhD 1936)
- Known for: Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC), microprogramming
- Employer(s): University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Digital Equipment Corporation, Olivetti
- Field(s): Computer science, informatics, physics, mathematics

## Contributions
Maurice Wilkes led the development of EDSAC at the University of Cambridge, completed in 1949, which was the first practical stored-program computer to provide a regular computing service. This machine introduced the concept of subroutines and libraries, laying groundwork for modern software engineering. In 1951, he published "The Preparation of Programs for an Electronic Digital Computer," the first book on computer programming. Wilkes later invented microprogramming in 1951, a method for implementing complex instruction sets using a control store, which became fundamental to computer architecture. His work at MIT in the 1980s contributed to the development of the IBM 801 and RISC architecture concepts. Throughout his career, he held leadership positions including President of the British Computer Society (1957-1960) and Fellow of the Royal Society (1956).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Maurice Wilkes most famous for?
A: Maurice Wilkes is most famous for leading the team that built EDSAC, one of the first practical stored-program computers, and for inventing microprogramming.

### Q: What award did Maurice Wilkes receive for his contributions to computing?
A: Maurice Wilkes received the Turing Award in 1967 for his contributions to the development of EDSAC and early computer programming.

### Q: Where did Maurice Wilkes work throughout his career?
A: Maurice Wilkes worked at the University of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Digital Equipment Corporation, and Olivetti.

## Why They Matter
Maurice Wilkes fundamentally shaped modern computing through his practical and theoretical contributions. EDSAC demonstrated that computers could be reliable tools for scientific computation, moving the field from experimental machines to practical computing services. His invention of microprogramming provided a systematic approach to processor design that influenced virtually all subsequent computer architectures. Wilkes' early work on subroutines and libraries established software engineering principles that remain foundational today. As an educator and leader, he trained multiple generations of computer scientists and helped establish computer science as an academic discipline. His influence extends through his doctoral students, including David Wheeler and Stanley Gill, who became prominent figures in computing themselves.

## Notable For
- Built EDSAC, the first practical stored-program computer (1949)
- Received the Turing Award in 1967 for contributions to computer science
- Invented microprogramming, a foundational concept in computer architecture
- Published the first book on computer programming in 1951
- Served as President of the British Computer Society (1957-1960)

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Maurice Vincent Wilkes was born on 26 June 1913 in Dudley, United Kingdom. He studied at King Edward VI College, Stourbridge, before entering St John's College, University of Cambridge in 1931, where he earned his BA in 1934 and PhD in 1936 under J. A. Ratcliffe.

### EDSAC Development
At Cambridge, Wilkes led the development of EDSAC, completed in 1949. This machine was the first practical stored-program computer to provide a regular computing service to users. EDSAC introduced the concept of subroutines and libraries, with Wilkes' team creating the first systematic approach to software development.

### Microprogramming Innovation
In 1951, Wilkes invented microprogramming, a technique for implementing complex instruction sets using a control store. This innovation allowed for more flexible and maintainable processor designs and became a standard approach in computer architecture.

### Academic Leadership
Wilkes served as Professor of Computer Technology at Cambridge from 1965 to 1980. He supervised numerous doctoral students who became influential in computing, including David Wheeler, Stanley Gill, and Beatrice Worsley.

### Industry Contributions
Later in his career, Wilkes worked at MIT (1981-1985) and Digital Equipment Corporation (1980-1986), contributing to RISC architecture development. He also served as Vice President of Research at Olivetti from 1986 to 1989.

### Publications and Recognition
His 1951 book "The Preparation of Programs for an Electronic Digital Computer" was the first textbook on programming. Wilkes received numerous honors including Fellow of the Royal Society (1956), Turing Award (1967), Kyoto Prize (1992), and IEEE John von Neumann Medal (1997).

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## References

1. [Source](http://amturing.acm.org/award_winners/wilkes_1001395.cfm)
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
4. Who's Who
5. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/wilkes_1001395#148)
6. [Source](https://amturing.acm.org/award_winners/wilkes_1001395.cfm)
7. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/wilkes_1001395#140)
8. [Source](http://www.inamori-f.or.jp/laureates/k08_a_maurice/prf_e.html)
9. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/wilkes_1001395#158)
10. Mathematics Genealogy Project
11. International Standard Name Identifier
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. CiNii Research
14. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/fellows/award-recipients)
15. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
16. Find a Grave
17. [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11875821)
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013