The marriage of Byron and Annabella Milbanke was not a happy one. Shortly after the birth of their daughter, Annabella left Byron and moved with her daughter to live with her parents. English law at the time gave the father full custody of the child in the event of separation, but Byron did not assert his parental rights. He simply asked his sister to keep him informed of Ada's life.
Byron signed the deed of separation and left England for good a few days later.
