Charles Babbage (1791-1871) was an ambitious, arrogant, and resentful mathematician and computer pioneer. He was convinced of his own brilliance, and was despondent when his ambitions were not met. Babbage was driven to build a complex mechanical computer that would prove his genius. Babbage was convinced of his own brilliance, even though he failed to deliver a working computer. Babbage was despondent when his ambitions were not met and he didn't receive the accolades he expected.