Sir, - What a pity Gwen Woods (August 18th) undermines her own argument with a poorly chosen example of smarter women "sacrificing their intelligence...for the promotion of their husbands' fame".
Unfortunately for Ms Woods, there was no such person as Ada Babbage. Charles Babbage, the inventor of the Difference and Analytical Engines in the 19th century, was married to Georgiana Whitmore. Tragically, Georgiana died giving birth after 13 years of marriage.
Perhaps Ms Woods is referring to Ada Byron, daughter of the poet. This choice is a very poor one for Ms Wood's argument, since Ada Byron made no such sacrifice. In fact the opposite is true.
She defied the social norms of her time to study mathematics and was supported both by her mother and husband. She published some papers on the Analytical Engine but her life was cut short and she died from cancer, aged 36.
A far better choice would have been Mileva Maric, Albert Einstein's first wife, who was more than his equal at university, but did not pursue an academic career after becoming pregnant with their first child.
But then, who ever let facts get in the way of their opinion? - Yours, etc.,
Stephen Oman, Wood Dale Crescent, Ballycullen, Dublin 24.