John Backus played an instrumental role in the creation of various programming languages and methods. The invention of the high-level programming language FORTRAN is the endeavor that has brought him the widest recognition. He also helped create the programming language FP, as well as the notation in common use to describe the grammar of programming languages: the Backus-Naur formalism.

The life of John Backus should serve as an inspiring example to anyone searching for their life's calling. In his youth, Backus accumulated an astonishingly dismal academic record. Backus recalls his years in a prestigious Pennsylvania high school: "I flunked out every year. I never studied. I hated studying. I was just goofing around."

Backus eventually graduated from high school in 1942, and then enrolled at the University of Virginia. His father, having earned a living as a chemist, wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. Although John liked...