Katherine Johnson At a Glance
Katherine Johnson was born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. She died on February 24, 2020, at age 101. If you are checking how old Katherine Johnson would have been, her age at any given date can be calculated from August 26, 1918, to February 24, 2020. Her verified dates frame her legacy: a mathematician whose orbital calculations enabled early human spaceflight. This profile explains her birth, career milestones, and enduring recognition, with a concise reference table and timeline for clarity.
Verified Birth and Lifespan
Birth Certificate and Official Records
Authoritative sources, including her family, NASA biographical records, and public vital records, confirm her date of birth as August 26, 1918. Her age progression can be calculated precisely from that date. The table below shows how her age would be expressed at regular intervals, anchored to her verified birth date and her date of death.
| Age at Given Time | Corresponding Date (Approximate) | Event or Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | August 26, 1944 | Early computing work during World War II |
| 39 | August 26, 1957 | Sputnik launch; her work on orbital trajectories |
| 43 | February 20, 1962 | John Glenn’s orbital flight, with Johnson’s calculations verified |
| 97 | August 26, 2015 | Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom |
| 101 | February 24, 2020 | Date of death |
Key Career Milestones and Dates
Understanding Katherine Johnson’s age alongside her achievements clarifies how her expertise matured over time. Her work at NACA (later NASA) spanned decades, with critical contributions to spaceflight before electronic computers were widely available.
Joining NACA and Early Computing
In 1953, she began working at the Langley Research Center’s Guidance and Navigation Department. She was in her mid-30s, bringing rigorous mathematical training from West Virginia State College. Her initial roles involved analyzing flight test data and performing calculations by hand, underpinning the emerging U.S. space program.
Orbital Mechanics and John Glenn Mission
By 1961 and 1962, Johnson was leading calculations for orbital trajectories and return paths. At age 42, she verified the electronic computer’s numbers for John Glenn’s orbital flight, a check that Glenn requested personally. Her age at this milestone reflects the peak of her technical influence during the Project Mercury era.
Later Work and Legacy Recognition
Through the Apollo era and beyond, she continued contributing to mission planning. In her late 90s and early 100s, she received widespread honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Her longevity allowed her to see her foundational work recognized publicly in modern times, bridging generations of aerospace progress.
Age Calculations and Reference Points
If you need to determine how old Katherine Johnson would have been on a specific date, use August 26, 1918, as the start point and February 24, 2020, as the end point. This ensures consistency with official biographies and NASA records. Below is a concise comparison of how her age aligns with major events.
| Life Event | Year | Age at Event |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | 1918 | 0 |
| Joins NACA | 1953 | 35 |
| John Glenn Flight | 1962 | 43 |
| Presidential Medal of Freedom | 2015 | 97 |
| Death | 2020 | 101 |
Context and Public Recognition
Katherine Johnson’s story became widely known through publications and the film Hidden Figures, highlighting her precision and confidence in calculations that underpinned astronaut safety. Her age at each milestone underscores a career marked by sustained excellence. She worked in an era when women and African Americans faced significant barriers, making her persistence and skill even more notable. Her verified birth and death dates provide a reliable timeline for measuring her impact.
How to Use This Information
When asking how old Katherine Johnson was at a given time, anchor to August 26, 1918, and adjust for her death in 2020. For example, during the John Glenn mission in early 1962, she was 43 years old. This approach avoids speculation and relies on authoritative records. For ongoing reference, treat her birth date as a fixed point and her death date as the terminus of her age progression.
Summary of Verified Details
Katherine Johnson was born on August 26, 1918, and died on February 24, 2020, at age 101. Her key contributions occurred in her 30s through 40s, with major recognition arriving in later decades. Reliable sources include NASA biographies, family statements, and public records. Her age can be precisely calculated for any date between her birth and death, enabling consistent and factual references in both historical and educational contexts.