School of Information Science - Hall of Fame
- Paul Allen
- Born: January 21, 1953
- Field: Computing industry; computer software
- Focus: Cofounded Microsoft Corporation with Bill Gates.
- Country: United States
- Era: 1970 to 1989
Paul Allen is best known as the cofounder (along with Bill Gates) of Microsoft Corporation. Since leaving Microsoft in 1983, Allen has continued to achieve, but his place in the Information Technology Hall of Fame is inexorably tied to Bill Gates.
In 1976 Paul Allen and Bill Gates founded Microsoft. Allen left the company in 1983 after a bout with Hodgkin's disease; he remains a member of Microsoft's board of directors. After winning the battle with Hodgkin's disease, Allen founded Vulcan Inc. He is chairman of Charter Communications (the nation's fourth largest cable provider), and owner of TechTV. In addition, Allen has a stake in DreamWorks SKG, Oxygen Media, and more than 50 other technology, media, and content companies. Allen also owns the Seattle Seahawks NFL and Portland Trail Blazers NBA franchises.
Named one of the top 15 philanthropists in America, Allen gives back to the community through the six Paul G. Allen Foundations, which strengthen communities and support vulnerable populations in the areas of arts, health and human services, medical research, and technology in education. Allen is also founder of the Experience Music Project, Seattle's critically acclaimed interactive music museum; the Science Fiction Experience Museum; and Vulcan Productions, an independent film-production company.