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, computer programmer, and philanthropist best known for co-founding Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975. His work was instrumental in the microcomputer revolution. Beyond Microsoft, Allen was involved in diverse ventures as an investor, sports executive, film producer, and explorer. At the time of his death in 2018, he was ranked among the wealthiest people in the world.

Sections (4)

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

January 21, 1953: Paul Allen's birth

On January 21, 1953, Paul Gardner Allen was born in Seattle, Washington.

Others born on this day/year

1965: Attended Lakeside School

In 1965, Paul Allen began attending Lakeside School in Seattle, where he befriended Bill Gates.

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.

1972: Worked on an automated class scheduling system for Lakeside

In 1972, after the death of Kent Evans, Bill Gates and Paul Allen worked together to finish an automated class scheduling system for Lakeside School.

1982: Diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma

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

1983: Allen's Departure from Microsoft

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

1986: Founded Vulcan Inc.

In 1986, Paul Allen and his sister, Jody Allen, founded Vulcan Inc., a privately held company that managed his business and philanthropic efforts.

1989: Allen Donates to Construct the Allen Library

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

2000: Allen Plays Rhythm Guitar on Album Grown Men

In 2000, Paul Allen played rhythm guitar on the independently produced album Grown Men.

2002: Allen Donates to Construct the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science

In 2002, Paul Allen donated $14 million to the University of Washington to construct the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering.

September 2003: Allen Institute for Brain Science Launched

In September 2003, Paul Allen launched the Allen Institute for Brain Science with a $100 million contribution. The institute was dedicated to understanding the human brain.

October 2003: Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering Dedicated

In October 2003, the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington was dedicated.

2003: Octopus Yacht Launched

In 2003, Paul Allen's 414-foot yacht, Octopus, was launched.

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

In 2010, Paul Allen announced a gift of $26 million to build the Paul G. Allen School of Global Animal Health at Washington State University.

2011: Publication of 'Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft'

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

(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' is published

On October 30, 2012, a paperback version of Paul Allen's memoir, 'Idea Man: A Memoir by the Co-founder of Microsoft' was published, including a new epilogue.

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

Check it on Amazon

2012: Allen Attempts to Retrieve HMS Hood Ship's Bell

In 2012, Paul Allen and his team attempted to retrieve the ship's bell from HMS Hood, which sank in WWII, but the attempt was unsuccessful due to weather.

2012: Kenneth S. and Faye G. Allen Library Endowment Renamed

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

November 2013: Vulcan Productions and Pandora's Promise Release

In November 2013, Vulcan Productions released Pandora's Promise, a documentary about nuclear power, on CNN. The documentary, directed by Robert Stone, was followed by college and private screenings and panel discussions.

2013: Everywhere at Once Released

In 2013, Paul Allen and the Underthinkers released Everywhere at Once on Sony's Legacy Recordings.

2013: Allen Sells Barnett Newman's Onement VI at Sotheby's

In 2013, Paul Allen sold Barnett Newman's Onement VI (1953) at Sotheby's in New York for $43.8 million.

December 2014: Allen Commits $100 Million to Cell Science Institute

In December 2014, Paul Allen committed $100 million to establish the Allen Institute for Cell Science in Seattle. The institute's goal is to investigate and create virtual models of cells for disease treatment.

April 21, 2015: Ebola Innovation Summit Held in San Francisco

On April 21, 2015, Paul Allen convened key leaders in the Ebola fight at the Ebola Innovation Summit in San Francisco.

August 7, 2015: HMS Hood Ship's Bell Recovered

On August 7, 2015, Paul Allen and his research team successfully recovered the ship's bell from HMS Hood.

November 3, 2015: Washington State Initiative 1401 Passed

On November 3, 2015, Washington state initiative 1401, backed by Paul Allen, passed. It prohibits the purchase, sale, and distribution of products made from endangered species.

2015: Allen Founds Seattle Art Fair

In 2015, Paul Allen founded the Seattle Art Fair, a four-day event featuring galleries from around the world.

2015: Japanese Battleship Musashi Located

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

January 2016: Tatoosh Damages Coral Reef

In January 2016, Paul Allen's yacht Tatoosh severely damaged approximately 1300 square meters of coral reef in the West Bay replenishment zone, Cayman Islands.

April 2016: 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 his yacht.

May 2016: HMS Hood Ship's Bell Put on Display

In May 2016, the restored bell from HMS Hood was put on display in the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth, in remembrance of the 1,415 crewmen lost.

August 2016: Upstream Music Fest + Summit Launched

In August 2016, Paul Allen announced the launch of Upstream Music Fest + Summit, an annual festival fashioned after South by Southwest.

2016: Allen Pledges $10 Million for Allen Discovery Centers

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.

2016: Allen Purchases Research Ship RV Petrel

In 2016, Paul Allen purchased the research ship RV Petrel.

2016: Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group Launched

In 2016, The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group was launched with a $100 million commitment. The group supports scientists and research at the frontier of bioscience.

May 2017: First Upstream Music Fest + Summit Held

In May 2017, the first Upstream Music Fest + Summit took place in Pioneer Square.

2017: UW Computer Science Department Reorganized into Paul G. Allen School

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: RV Petrel Finds USS Indianapolis and Other Wrecks

In 2017, at Allen's direction, 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 USS Lexington

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.