Early Life and Education of Paul Allen: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Paul Allen, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Paul Allen was an American businessman and computer programmer best known for co-founding Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975, a pivotal moment in the microcomputer revolution. Beyond Microsoft, Allen was a diverse figure, engaging in research, film production, exploration, sports management, investment, authorship, and philanthropy. At the time of his death in 2018, he was ranked among the wealthiest individuals globally, highlighting his significant impact across various domains.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

January 21, 1953: Paul Allen Born

On January 21, 1953, Paul Gardner Allen was born in Seattle, Washington. He later co-founded Microsoft Corporation with Bill Gates.

Others born on this day/year

1965: Attended Lakeside School

In 1965, Paul Allen began attending Lakeside School, where he later befriended Bill Gates, sharing an enthusiasm for computers.

1971: Banned from University of Washington Lab

In 1971, Paul Allen and Bill Gates were banned from the University of Washington's Computer Science Department laboratory for abusing their privileges.

1982: Allen Effectively Leaves Microsoft

In 1982, Allen effectively left Microsoft after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, although he remained on the board.

1982: Diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma

In 1982, Paul Allen was diagnosed with Stage 1-A Hodgkin's lymphoma and successfully treated with radiation therapy.

1983: Departure from Microsoft

In 1983, Paul Allen departed from Microsoft to pursue his business and creative ventures.

1983: Allen Quits Day-to-Day Work at Microsoft

In 1983, Paul Allen quit from day-to-day work at Microsoft after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, although he remained on the board as vice-chairman.

1989: Donation for Allen Library Construction and Endowment

In 1989, Paul Allen donated $2 million to the University of Washington to construct the Allen Library, named after his father, Kenneth S. Allen. He also donated an additional $8 million to establish the Kenneth S. Allen Library Endowment.

October 2003: Dedication of the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering

In October 2003, the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington was dedicated. Allen had donated $14 million in 2002 for its construction.

2003: Launch of Allen's Yacht, Octopus

In 2003, Paul Allen's 414-foot yacht, Octopus, was launched. The yacht was equipped with two helicopters, a submarine, and numerous other amenities.

2009: Diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

In 2009, Paul Allen was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which was also successfully treated at the time.

2010: Gift to Build the Paul G. Allen School of Global Animal Health

In 2010, Paul Allen announced a gift of $26 million to Washington State University, his alma mater, to build the Paul G. Allen School of Global Animal Health. This was the largest private donation in the university's history.

2010: Allen Signed The Giving Pledge

In 2010, Paul Allen signed The Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of his wealth to philanthropic endeavors. This pledge reinforced his dedication to supporting various causes through the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation and other avenues.

2011: Publication of Idea Man memoir

In 2011, Paul Allen's memoir, "Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft", was published by Portfolio, a Penguin Group imprint, recounting his early interest in computers, the founding of Microsoft, and his post-Microsoft ventures.

(Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft) [By: Allen, Paul] [May, 2012]

Check it on Amazon

October 30, 2012: Paperback version of 'Idea Man' published

On October 30, 2012, a paperback version of Paul Allen's book 'Idea Man' was published, featuring a new epilogue.

(Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft) [By: Allen, Paul] [May, 2012]

Check it on Amazon

2012: Renaming of the Kenneth S. Allen Library Endowment

In 2012, the Kenneth S. Allen Library Endowment was renamed the Kenneth S. and Faye G. Allen Library Endowment after the death of Allen's mother, Faye G. Allen.

2013: Sale of Barnett Newman's Onement VI

In 2013, Paul Allen sold Barnett Newman's "Onement VI (1953)" at Sotheby's in New York for $43.8 million, setting a record for a work by the abstract artist.

April 21, 2015: Allen Convened Ebola Innovation Summit

On April 21, 2015, Paul Allen convened key leaders involved in the Ebola fight at the Ebola Innovation Summit in San Francisco. The summit aimed to share knowledge and reinforce the need for continued support to eradicate Ebola.

August 7, 2015: Recovery of the HMS Hood's Bell

On August 7, 2015, Paul Allen's research team successfully recovered the ship's bell from HMS Hood, which had sunk in the Denmark Strait during World War II. This recovery followed a previous failed attempt in 2012.

2015: Location of Japanese Battleship Musashi

In 2015, the research team aboard the RV Petrel, a research ship funded by Paul Allen, located the Japanese battleship Musashi.

April 2016: Coral reef restoration plan completed

In April 2016, the Department of Environment (DoE) and Paul Allen's Vulcan Inc. successfully completed a restoration plan to help speed recovery and protect the future of coral in the area damaged by Tatoosh.

May 2016: Display of HMS Hood's Bell at National Museum

In May 2016, the restored bell from HMS Hood was put on display in the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth, as a tribute to the 1,415 crewmen who were lost when the ship sank.

2016: Pledge for Allen Discovery Centers at Tufts and Stanford

In 2016, Paul Allen pledged a $10 million donation over four years for the creation of the Allen Discovery Centers at Tufts University and Stanford University, which would fund research to read and write the morphogenetic code.

2016: Allen Purchased Research Ship RV Petrel

In 2016, Paul Allen purchased the research ship RV Petrel, which was later used to locate several historic shipwrecks.

May 2017: Inaugural Upstream Music Fest + Summit

In May 2017, the inaugural Upstream Music Fest + Summit was held in Pioneer Square, Seattle.

2017: Reorganization of UW's Computer Science and Engineering Department

In 2017, Paul Allen donated $40 million (with an additional $10 million from Microsoft) to reorganize the University of Washington's Computer Science and Engineering department into the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering.

2017: Discovery of USS Indianapolis and other Wrecks by RV Petrel

In 2017, at Paul Allen's direction, the RV Petrel found USS Indianapolis, USS Ward, the wrecks of the Battle of Surigao Strait, and the Battle of Ormoc Bay.

2018: RV Petrel Finds Lost US Navy Aircraft and other Ships

In 2018, RV Petrel found a lost US Navy C-2A Greyhound aircraft in the Philippine Sea, USS Lexington in the Coral Sea, and the USS Juneau off the coast of the Solomon Islands.