# Shawn Hargreaves

> British computer programmer

**Wikidata**: [Q9335956](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9335956)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Hargreaves)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shawn-hargreaves

Here’s the structured biographical entry for Shawn Hargreaves:

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## Summary  
Shawn Hargreaves is a British computer programmer best known for his contributions to software development, particularly as the creator of the Allegro game programming library. He has worked extensively at Microsoft, focusing on graphics and gaming technologies.

## Biography  
- Born: August 23, 1975  
- Nationality: British  
- Education: Newcastle-under-Lyme College, University of York  
- Known for: Creating the Allegro game programming library  
- Employer(s): Microsoft  
- Field(s): Software development, game programming  

## Contributions  
Shawn Hargreaves is the creator of Allegro, a widely used open-source game programming library designed to simplify multimedia and game development. His work on Allegro has enabled developers to build cross-platform games with ease, contributing to the indie game development scene. At Microsoft, Hargreaves has been involved in graphics and gaming technologies, though specific projects are not detailed in the source material. He maintains an active presence in the developer community through his website ([shawnhargreaves.com](http://www.shawnhargreaves.com/)) and social media platforms like Twitter (@shawnhargreaves) and GitHub (shawnhar).

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Shawn Hargreaves known for?  
A: He is best known for creating the Allegro game programming library, which simplifies multimedia and game development for programmers.  

### Q: Where does Shawn Hargreaves work?  
A: He has been employed by Microsoft, where he contributes to graphics and gaming technologies.  

### Q: What is Shawn Hargreaves' educational background?  
A: He attended Newcastle-under-Lyme College and the University of York, though specific degrees are not mentioned in the source material.  

## Why They Matter  
Shawn Hargreaves' creation of Allegro has had a lasting impact on the game development community, particularly among indie developers. The library's accessibility and cross-platform capabilities have lowered barriers to entry for aspiring game programmers. His work at Microsoft further underscores his influence in shaping modern graphics and gaming technologies, though specific contributions there are not detailed. Without his efforts, the indie game development landscape might lack a key tool that has empowered countless projects.

## Notable For  
- Creator of the Allegro game programming library.  
- Longtime contributor at Microsoft, focusing on graphics and gaming.  
- Active developer with a presence on GitHub, Twitter, and SoundCloud.  

## Body  
### Early Life and Education  
- Born on August 23, 1975.  
- Attended Newcastle-under-Lyme College and the University of York.  

### Career  
- Employed by Microsoft, contributing to graphics and gaming technologies.  

### Allegro  
- Developed Allegro, an open-source game programming library.  
- Allegro simplifies multimedia and game development for cross-platform projects.  

### Online Presence  
- Maintains a personal website: [shawnhargreaves.com](http://www.shawnhargreaves.com/).  
- Active on Twitter (@shawnhargreaves) with over 3,900 followers (as of 2021).  
- GitHub username: shawnhar.  

### Social Media  
- Twitter: [@shawnhargreaves](https://twitter.com/shawnhargreaves).  
- SoundCloud: [shawn-hargreaves](https://soundcloud.com/shawn-hargreaves).  
- LinkedIn: [shawn-hargreaves-018865b](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-hargreaves-018865b).  

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This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any adjustments!