# Michael S. Hart > American author, founder of Project Gutenberg (1947–2011) **Wikidata**: [Q22677](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22677) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_S._Hart) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michael-s-hart ## Summary Michael S. Hart was an American author, computer scientist, and inventor best known as the founder of Project Gutenberg. Born in 1947 and passing in 2011, he pioneered the digital library movement. His work established a foundation for the distribution of electronic literature. ## Biography * **Born:** March 8, 1947, in Tacoma, United States * **Died:** September 6, 2011, in Urbana, United States (aged 64) * **Nationality:** United States * **Education:** University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign * **Known for:** Founding Project Gutenberg * **Employer(s):** Affiliated with the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign * **Field(s):** Computer Science, Writing, Business ## Contributions Michael S. Hart is credited as the founder of Project Gutenberg, a role that defines his professional legacy. While specific launch dates for the project are not detailed in the source material, his occupation as an "inventor" and "computer scientist" underscores the technical nature of this contribution. He is recognized globally for this effort, holding identifiers such as Project Gutenberg Author ID 958. Beyond his role as a founder, Hart was a published author. His identity as a writer is cataloged in numerous international library systems, including the Library of Congress (ID: no2011141086) and the National Library of Israel. His work intersected with the burgeoning digital industry, classified under the industrial and service sectors. As a businessperson and computer scientist, he bridged the gap between literature and technology. He maintained an online presence via his website (pglaf.org/hart/) and his work is archived in various knowledge bases, reflecting a lasting contribution to digital information and accessibility. ## FAQs ### Q: What was Michael S. Hart's primary achievement? A: He was the founder of Project Gutenberg, an initiative that positioned him as a pioneer in the field of digital libraries and electronic publishing. ### Q: When and where was Michael S. Hart born and raised? A: He was born on March 8, 1947, in Tacoma, Washington, United States. He later lived in Urbana, Illinois, where he died. ### Q: What was Michael S. Hart's educational background? A: He was educated at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, a public research university. ### Q: What was the cause of Michael S. Hart's death? A: He died of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) on September 6, 2011, which was categorized as a death by natural causes. ## Why They Matter Michael S. Hart matters because he fundamentally altered the landscape of information distribution as the founder of Project Gutenberg. By leveraging his background as a computer scientist and inventor, he created a system for digitizing and distributing text, bridging the worlds of literature and technology. His affiliation with the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign places his work within a significant academic and research context. Hart's vision extended beyond mere authorship; as a businessperson and inventor, he helped establish the infrastructure for the digital consumption of books. The global recognition of his work—evidenced by his extensive cataloging in systems like VIAF, ISNI, and libraries worldwide—demonstrates the widespread impact of his efforts. Without his contributions, the accessibility and format of digital literature as understood today might look significantly different. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, marking the end of a life dedicated to the advancement of knowledge. ## Notable For * **Founder of Project Gutenberg:** His most defining role, establishing him as a key figure in digital history. * **Occupations:** Recognized broadly as an author, computer scientist, inventor, and businessperson. * **Academic Ties:** Affiliated with the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. * **Global Recognition:** Holds authority records in major libraries including the Library of Congress and National Library of Israel. * **Digital Pioneer:** Credited in the "computer scientist" class, highlighting his role in the industrial and service sectors of technology. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Michael Stern Hart was born on March 8, 1947, in Tacoma, United States. He pursued higher education at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, a major public research university. His academic environment provided the foundation for his future work in computer science and information technology. ### Career and Project Gutenberg Hart's professional identity was multifaceted; he was an author, computer scientist, businessperson, and inventor. His primary legacy is the founding of Project Gutenberg. This initiative aligns with his classification as a computer scientist working within the industrial and service sectors. As an author, he held Project Gutenberg Author ID 958. His work has been archived and referenced extensively online, including a personal website hosted at pglaf.org/hart/. ### Personal Data and Identifiers Hart was a male citizen of the United States. His life is documented through various international identifiers: * **ISNI:** 000000035634776X * **VIAF ID:** 185004300 * **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no2011141086 * **Freebase ID:** /m/01437q ### Death and Legacy Michael S. Hart died on September 6, 2011, in Urbana, United States. The cause of death was a myocardial infarction, classified as natural causes. He was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery. Following his death, his legacy has been preserved through numerous biographical entries across platforms like Wikipedia (available in languages including Arabic, Bulgarian, and Catalan) and Quora. ## References 1. Find a Grave 2. [Source](http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Michael_S._Hart) 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. Virtual International Authority File 5. Quora 6. [LIBRIS. 2011](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/sq47d5mb0g655ps)