# Dennis Austin

> American software developer (1947–2023)

**Wikidata**: [Q122773568](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122773568)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Austin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dennis-austin

## Summary
Dennis Austin was an American software developer and programmer, best known as the primary developer of the presentation software PowerPoint. He played a critical role in the creation of the program during his career as a software engineer. Austin died in 2023 at the age of 76.

## Biography
*   **Born:** May 28, 1947
*   **Nationality:** American
*   **Known for:** Developing the software for PowerPoint
*   **Field(s):** Software development, Computer programming, Software engineering
*   **Sex/Gender:** Male
*   **Died:** September 1, 2023

*(Note: Specific details regarding education and specific employers were not present in the provided source data, though his occupation is confirmed as a programmer/software developer.)*

## Contributions
Based on the provided source material, specifically the title of his obituary and biographical classifications, Dennis Austin is definitively identified as the "software developer of PowerPoint." While the raw data does not list specific patents or code repositories, his primary contribution lies in the engineering and programming of this ubiquitous presentation tool.

As a practitioner of software engineering, Austin's work involved writing the computer software that would eventually become PowerPoint. This tool fundamentally changed how information is presented in business and educational sectors. The designation of his occupation as a "programmer" and "software engineer" highlights his direct involvement in the technical construction of the application rather than solely a business or management role. His contribution is the creation of the underlying technology for the software, recognized globally as a standard for digital presentations.

## FAQs

### Q: What is Dennis Austin best known for?
A: Dennis Austin is best known for being the software developer of Microsoft PowerPoint (originally developed by Forethought). He was the programmer who wrote the code for the application.

### Q: When was Dennis Austin born and when did he die?
A: According to biographical records, Dennis Austin was born on May 28, 1947, and died on September 1, 2023, at the age of 76.

### Q: What was Dennis Austin's profession?
A: Dennis Austin was a software developer and programmer. He is classified as a practitioner of software engineering.

### Q: What are Dennis Austin's full names and aliases?
A: He is recorded under the aliases Dennis R. Austin and Dennis Robert Austin.

## Why They Matter
Dennis Austin matters because he was the architect behind PowerPoint, one of the most influential pieces of software in modern computing history. By translating the concept of a presentation slide into functional computer code, he bridged the gap between physical overhead projectors and digital multimedia. As a software engineer, his specific contribution was the *construction* of the tool—the actual programming required to make the software function. This work has had a lasting impact on global communication, standardizing the format by which ideas are pitched, taught, and shared in the 21st century. Without his technical contribution as a developer, the landscape of business and educational software would look significantly different.

## Notable For
*   **Software Developer of PowerPoint:** Credited as the primary software developer for the application.
*   **Software Engineering:** Recognized as a key practitioner in the field of software engineering and computer programming.
*   **Longevity:** A lifespan covering 76 years (1947–2023).
*   **Documentation:** Recorded in major authority files including the Library of Congress (ID: n2015053866) and VIAF.

## Body

### Personal Details and Identity
Dennis Robert Austin was an American male born on May 28, 1947. He passed away on September 1, 2023. In academic and library cataloging systems, he is identified by the Library of Congress Authority ID `n2015053866` and the VIAF ID `317101570`. He is also associated with the Google Knowledge Graph ID `/g/11vbp2hp3x`.

### Career and Occupation
Austin's professional identity is that of a **software developer** and **programmer**.
*   **Class:** He is classified as a "person who writes computer software," a subclass of software developer.
*   **Role:** He is explicitly cited as the "software developer of PowerPoint" in historical records and obituaries (Washington Post, 2023).
*   **Field:** His work falls strictly within the domain of software engineering.

### Legacy Data
Austin's biographical data is maintained across multiple linguistic and academic platforms. His Wikipedia presence spans English and German (`de`, `en`) languages, with a sitelink count indicating his recognized notability in those spheres. His obituary confirms his standing as a significant figure in software development history.

## References

1. [Dennis Austin, the software developer of PowerPoint, dies at 76. 2023](https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/09/08/dennis-austin-software-developer-powerpoint-dies/)