# Thomas E. Kurtz

> American computer scientist and educator (1928–2024)

**Wikidata**: [Q1387801](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1387801)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_E._Kurtz)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thomas-e-kurtz

## Summary
Thomas E. Kurtz was an American computer scientist, mathematician, and educator (1928-2024) who co-created the BASIC programming language while at Dartmouth College. His development of Dartmouth BASIC revolutionized computer programming by making it accessible to non-specialists, and later he created True BASIC as a structured version of the language.

## Biography
- Born: February 22, 1928, in Oak Park, Illinois
- Nationality: United States
- Education: 
  - Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Knox College
  - Doctor of Philosophy from Princeton University (1956)
- Known for: Co-creating the BASIC programming language
- Employer(s): Dartmouth College
- Field(s): Computer science, mathematics, statistics

## Contributions
Thomas E. Kurtz co-developed the BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) programming language in 1964 at Dartmouth College alongside John Kemeny. Their creation was revolutionary as it allowed non-computer science students to learn programming through a simple, English-like language. BASIC became one of the most widely used programming languages in the early microcomputer era. In 1983, Kurtz developed True BASIC, a structured version of the language that maintained compatibility with Dartmouth BASIC while incorporating modern programming practices. His work democratized computing education and made programming accessible to millions worldwide, fundamentally changing how computers were used in education and personal computing.

## FAQs
### Q: Who was John Kemeny's collaborator in creating BASIC?
A: Thomas E. Kurtz was the collaborator of John Kemeny in creating the BASIC programming language at Dartmouth College in 1964.

### Q: What impact did BASIC have on computing education?
A: BASIC revolutionized computing education by providing a simple, English-like programming language that made computers accessible to non-computer science students, fundamentally changing how computers were used in educational settings.

### Q: What is True BASIC and how does it differ from original BASIC?
A: True BASIC is a variant of the BASIC programming language that Thomas E. Kurtz created in 1983. It maintained compatibility with Dartmouth BASIC while incorporating structured programming practices and modern features.

### Q: Where did Thomas E. Kurtz work during his career?
A: Thomas E. Kurtz worked at Dartmouth College throughout his career, where he co-created BASIC and later developed True BASIC.

### Q: What awards did Thomas E. Kurtz receive for his contributions?
A: Thomas E. Kurtz received the Computer Pioneer Award in 1991 and was named an ACM Fellow in 1994 for his contributions to computing.

## Why They Matter
Thomas E. Kurtz's most significant contribution was democratizing computer programming through the BASIC language. Before BASIC, programming was accessible only to specialists using complex languages. By creating a simple, intuitive language, Kurtz and Kemeny made computers usable in education, business, and homes worldwide. His work directly influenced generations of programmers and paved the way for personal computing. The ubiquity of BASIC in the 1970s and 1980s meant that millions of people learned their first programming language through his creation, fundamentally shaping the computer literacy movement. Without Kurtz's innovations, computer education would have remained inaccessible to non-specialists for years longer.

## Notable For
- Co-creator of the BASIC programming language (1964) alongside John Kemeny at Dartmouth College
- Creator of True BASIC (1983), a structured version of the BASIC language
- Received the Computer Pioneer Award in 1991 for his contributions to computing
- Named an ACM Fellow in 1994
- Served as a pioneer in making computer programming accessible to non-specialists through educational innovations

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Thomas Eugene Kurtz was born on February 22, 1928, in Oak Park, Illinois, United States. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Knox College and later earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Princeton University in 1956. His doctoral advisor was John Tukey, the renowned American mathematician, statistician, and university teacher.

### Career at Dartmouth College
Kurtz spent his entire career at Dartmouth College, where he collaborated with John Kemeny to develop the BASIC programming language. Their collaboration began in the early 1960s and culminated in the release of BASIC in 1964. This language was designed specifically for teaching programming to non-computer science students, using a simplified English-like syntax that made computer programming accessible to a broader audience.

### Development of BASIC
The BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) programming language revolutionized computer education by making it possible for students from various disciplines to learn programming. Unlike earlier programming languages that required extensive training and specialized knowledge, BASIC featured a simple syntax and interactive environment. This innovation made computers usable in educational settings worldwide and became one of the most widely used programming languages in the early microcomputer era.

### Creation of True BASIC
In 1983, Kurtz created True BASIC, a variant of the BASIC programming language that maintained compatibility with Dartmouth BASIC while incorporating structured programming practices and modern features. True BASIC was developed as a response to the fragmentation of the BASIC language across different computer platforms and the need for a standardized, structured version suitable for educational purposes.

### Professional Recognition
Kurtz received significant recognition for his contributions to computing. He was awarded the Computer Pioneer Award in 1991 and named an ACM Fellow in 1994. These honors recognized his role in making computing accessible to non-specialists and his contributions to computer science education. He was also a member of the Association for Computing Machinery throughout his career.

### Legacy
Thomas E. Kurtz died on November 12, 2024, in Lebanon, New Hampshire, at the age of 96. His legacy is primarily defined by his role in democratizing computer programming through BASIC. The language he co-created became a cornerstone of computer education for decades and influenced generations of programmers. His work directly contributed to the personal computing revolution by making programming accessible to ordinary people, not just specialists. The principles of accessibility and simplicity that guided his work continue to influence computer education and programming language design today.

## References

1. [Thomas E. Kurtz. Association for Computing Machinery](https://awards.acm.org/award-recipients/kurtz_1404417)
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. [In Memoriam: Thomas E. Kurtz, 1928–2024. 2024](https://computerhistory.org/blog/in-memoriam-thomas-e-kurtz-1928-2024/)
7. [Thomas Kurtz, Co-Creator of Computer Language Basic, Dies at 96. Bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-14/thomas-kurtz-co-creator-of-computer-language-basic-dies-at-96)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013