Paul Gardner Allen (1953–2018) was a late Microsoft co-founder, born in Seattle, Washington, where he developed an early passion for science and technology, starting a science club in his basement at age 10. He attended Lakeside School, a private prep school, alongside future Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, honing his computer programming skills during that time. Allen briefly studied at Washington State University before dropping out to pursue opportunities in the burgeoning tech industry. After co-founding Microsoft, he departed the company in 1983 following a Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis, though he remained a shareholder and became one of the world's wealthiest individuals. He founded Vulcan Inc., his investment firm, channeling resources into diverse ventures including real estate, media, and biotechnology. Allen was also a notable philanthropist, donating billions to causes in science, arts, and education through initiatives like the Allen Institute for Brain Science. In addition to his business pursuits, he ventured into entertainment as a film producer and owned professional sports teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle Seahawks. He passed away on October 15, 2018, from complications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leaving a legacy as a pioneering tech innovator and generous benefactor.