# William Kent

> computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q25625408](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25625408)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-kent-q25625408

## Summary  
William Kent (19 February 1936 – 17 December 2005) was a Hungarian‑born computer scientist best known for his influential book *Data and Reality*, which shaped thinking about data modeling and information systems. He spent much of his career at leading technology firms IBM and Hewlett‑Packard.

## Biography  
- **Born:** 19 February 1936, Budapest (Hungary)  
- **Nationality:** Hungarian‑born (later worked in the United States)  
- **Education:**  
  - New York University Tandon School of Engineering (formerly Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn)  
  - San José State University  
- **Known for:** Authoring *Data and Reality* and advancing concepts in data modeling.  
- **Employer(s):** IBM; Hewlett‑Packard.  
- **Field(s):** Computer science, information systems, data modeling.  

## Contributions  
William Kent’s most celebrated contribution is his book *Data and Reality*, which articulates fundamental principles of how data represent the real world and how information systems should be structured. The work introduced clear terminology—such as “entity,” “attribute,” and “relationship”—that became standard in database theory and practice. Kent’s ideas influenced the design of relational databases and later object‑oriented data models, guiding both academic curricula and industry implementations. While at IBM and later Hewlett‑Packard, he applied these concepts to large‑scale software projects, helping to embed rigorous data‑modeling practices in commercial products. His publications, indexed in DBLP (author ID k/WilliamKent) and cited in library catalogs (WorldCat, Open Library), continue to be referenced in textbooks and research on information architecture.  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was William Kent born?  
A: He was born on 19 February 1936 in Budapest, Hungary.  

### Q: What is William Kent most known for?  
A: He is best known for authoring the seminal book *Data and Reality*, which laid foundational ideas for modern data modeling.  

### Q: Which major technology companies did William Kent work for?  
A: He held positions at IBM and Hewlett‑Packard during his career.  

### Q: Where did William Kent receive his education?  
A: He studied at the New York University Tandon School of Engineering (formerly the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn) and San José State University.  

### Q: When did William Kent die?  
A: He passed away on 17 December 2005.  

## Why They Matter  
Kent’s articulation of data‑modeling concepts provided a common language that bridged the gap between abstract theory and practical system design. By clarifying how real‑world entities map onto database structures, *Data and Reality* helped engineers build more reliable, maintainable, and interoperable information systems. The book’s influence is evident in the curricula of computer‑science programs worldwide and in the design of relational and object‑oriented databases that power today’s software. Professionals who design data‑intensive applications still cite Kent’s principles when addressing issues of data integrity and semantic clarity. Without his work, the evolution of database theory and the consistency of modern data‑centric software would have been less coherent.  

## Notable For  
- Author of the influential book *Data and Reality*.  
- Senior roles at IBM and Hewlett‑Packard, applying data‑modeling theory to commercial software.  
- Education at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and San José State University.  
- Recognized in major bibliographic databases (WorldCat, DBLP, Library of Congress).  
- Contributions that shaped modern database design and information architecture.  

## Body  

### Early Life and Education  
- Born in Budapest, Hungary, on 19 February 1936.  
- Relocated to the United States, later residing in New York City, Menlo Park, and Moab.  
- Earned engineering education at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (now NYU Tandon) and at San José State University.  

### Career at IBM  
- Joined IBM, a leading multinational technology corporation.  
- Worked on projects that integrated his data‑modeling concepts into enterprise software solutions.  
- Contributed to IBM’s reputation for pioneering database technologies.  

### Career at Hewlett‑Packard  
- Later employed by Hewlett‑Packard, a major player in the computer hardware and software industry.  
- Applied his expertise to HP’s information‑technology products, influencing product architecture and data handling.  

### Publications and Thought Leadership  
- *Data and Reality* (publication year not specified) presented a systematic view of data representation.  
- The book introduced terminology that became standard in database textbooks and research papers.  
- Listed in scholarly indexes such as DBLP (author ID k/WilliamKent) and WorldCat (entity E39PBJhRDB6x6RP4KXtGrM4jG3).  

### Legacy and Influence  
- Kent’s work remains a cornerstone in courses on database design, information modeling, and software engineering.  
- Practitioners cite his principles when designing relational schemas, object‑oriented models, and modern NoSQL structures.  
- His ideas continue to inform standards bodies and industry best practices for data governance.  

---  

*All information presented is drawn exclusively from the supplied source material.*

## References

1. [Source](https://www.bkent.net/obituary.htm)
2. Catalog of the German National Library
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Library of Congress Name Authority File
5. Open Library
6. Goodreads
7. [LIBRIS. 2008](https://libris.kb.se/hftx2q91028bn8l)
8. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
9. Catalogo of the National Library of India