Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

Grace Hopper
     
         US Navy Rear Admiral Grace Brewster Hopper
        (1906-12-09 to 1992-01-01), nee Grace Brewster Murray.
     
        Hopper is believed to have concieved the concept of the
        {compiler} with the {A-0} in 1952.  She also developed the
        first commercial {high-level language}, which eventually
        evolved into {COBOL}.  She worked on the {Mark I} computer
        with Howard Aiken and with {BINAC} in 1949.
     
        She is credited with having coined the term "debug", and the
        adage "it is always easier to ask forgiveness than it is to
        get permission" (with various wordings), which has been the
        guiding principle in {sysadmin} decisions ever since.
     
        See also the entries {debug} and {bug}.
     
        Hopper is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  In 1994, the
        US Navy named a new ship, the guided-missile destroyer {USS
        Hopper (http://www.hopper.navy.mil/)}, after her.
     
        (1999-06-29)