Who is the mother of cryptology, the foundational science that has led to the development of modern cryptography and the secure transmission of information in the digital age? Is it a pioneering mathematician, an innovative computer scientist, or perhaps an unheralded figure from a bygone era? As we delve into the history of cryptology, who emerges as the pivotal individual who laid the groundwork for this crucial field? And how did their contributions shape the landscape of cryptography and secure communications as we know it today?