# Adam Osborne

> American writer and software publisher (1939-2003)

**Wikidata**: [Q350582](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q350582)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Osborne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/adam-osborne

## Summary
Adam Osborne was an American writer, computer scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur who lived from 1939 to 2003. He is best known as a software publisher and a significant figure in the early personal computing industry.

## Biography
- **Born:** March 6, 1939, in Bangkok
- **Died:** March 18, 2003, in Kodaikanal
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** University of Birmingham; University of Delaware
- **Known for:** Writing, software publishing, and contributions to computer science and engineering
- **Employer(s):** Not specified
- **Field(s):** Computer science, engineering, entrepreneurship, writing
- **Religion:** Hinduism
- **Sex/Gender:** Male

## Contributions
Adam Osborne built a multifaceted career spanning technical authorship and business leadership. As a writer, he contributed to the literature of the field, while as an entrepreneur and engineer, he played a role in the software publishing industry. His work bridged the gap between technical engineering and consumer-facing software distribution.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Adam Osborne's professional background?
Adam Osborne was a multi-disciplinary professional who worked as a writer, computer scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur.

### Q: Where was Adam Osborne born and where did he die?
He was born in Bangkok and died in Kodaikanal.

### Q: What was Adam Osborne's educational history?
He was educated at the University of Birmingham and the University of Delaware.

### Q: What religious affiliation is associated with Adam Osborne?
The source material identifies his religion or worldview as Hinduism.

## Why They Matter
Adam Osborne matters to the history of computing as a pioneer who combined technical expertise with entrepreneurial spirit. By working as both a computer scientist and a software publisher, he helped shape the early software industry. His transition from an engineer and writer to a publisher highlights the evolution of the computer industry from a hardware-centric field to one focused on software and information dissemination. His legacy is documented across numerous international library authorities and encyclopedic databases, underscoring his lasting presence in the historical record of computer science.

## Notable For
*   **Multiple Professional Identities:** Recognized distinctly as a writer, computer scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur.
*   **International Recognition:** His biography is maintained by major global authorities including the Library of Congress (n79060770), the German National Library (GND ID 138376069), and the National Library of Korea (KAC2018G2135).
*   **Subject of the "Osborne Effect":** The alias "Osborne-Effekt" is linked to him, indicating his association with this specific business concept in the industry.
*   **Global Digital Footprint:** He is indexed in a wide array of databases, including VIAF (67034510), ISNI (000000010911343X), and Wikipedia across 24 languages.

## Body
### Personal Life and Timeline
Adam Osborne was born on March 6, 1939, in Bangkok. He spent his life pursuing various intellectual and professional endeavors in the United States. He died on March 18, 2003, in Kodaikanal. He identified with Hinduism as his religion or worldview.

### Education
Osborne's academic background included studies at two major institutions:
*   **University of Birmingham**
*   **University of Delaware**

### Professional Roles
Osborne held a diverse set of professional roles, illustrating a career that spanned both technical and business domains. He was classified as:
*   **Writer:** Contributing to the body of literature in his field.
*   **Computer Scientist:** Engaging in the study and practice of computation.
*   **Engineer:** Applying technical principles to design and building.
*   **Entrepreneur:** Founding and leading business ventures, specifically noted as a software publisher.

### Identifiers and Classifications
Adam Osborne is extensively cataloged in international databases, reflecting his significance:
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n79060770
*   **German National Library (GND) ID:** 138376069
*   **ISNI:** 000000010911343X
*   **VIAF ID:** 67034510
*   **BIBSYS ID:** 90095001
*   **National Library of Korea ID:** KAC2018G2135
*   **National Library of Poland MMS ID:** 9810571080905606
*   **National Library of Spain ID:** XX825424
*   **Dewey Decimal Classification:** Associated with class 004.092 (a classification used for computer scientists).
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/01clz7
*   **Quora Topic:** Adam-Osborne-3

### Digital Presence and Media
His legacy is preserved through various digital archives and mentions:
*   **Wikimedia Commons:** An image from 1983 is archived at `Adam_Osborne.png`.
*   **Wikipedia:** He has a presence across 24 language editions, including English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Russian.
*   **FOLDOC ID:** Listed as "Adam+Osborne" in the Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing.
*   **Notable Names Database ID:** 943/000023874
*   **CINII Research ID:** 1140282266736250624

## References

1. International Standard Name Identifier
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. SNAC
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Quora
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File