Michael S. Hart 1947 – 2011

Biography

Michael S. Hart was born on March 8, 1947, in Tacoma, Washington. Throughout his life, he devoted himself to making knowledge accessible to all people through innovative and pioneering work in digital literacy and preservation. His vision extended far beyond the technological limitations of his era, as he sought to democratize access to humanity’s greatest literary and cultural works.

Hart is best remembered as the founder of Project Gutenberg, a groundbreaking initiative that transformed how we preserve and share written works. His dedication to this mission reflected a deep belief that literature and information should be freely available to everyone, regardless of circumstances. Through his work, he helped establish principles that would influence the digital age for decades to come.

Hart spent much of his life in Urbana, where he continued his tireless efforts to advance his vision of universal access to knowledge. On September 6, 2011, he passed away from a myocardial infarction. He was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire librarians, technologists, and advocates for free information worldwide.