Aaron Swartz 1986 – 2013

Biography

Aaron Swartz was born on November 8, 1986, in Highland Park, and grew up to become a pioneering computer programmer whose work and activism shaped how we think about information access and digital rights. Throughout his career, he dedicated himself to the intersection of technology and social justice, believing that the internet’s greatest potential lay in democratizing knowledge and empowering ordinary people.

As an internet-political activist, Aaron worked tirelessly to challenge systems he viewed as unjust, particularly those that restricted access to information and research. His conviction that knowledge should be freely available to all drove his passion and informed his vision for a more open digital world. He combined technical expertise with moral clarity, becoming a voice for those advocating fundamental change in how our institutions handle intellectual property and public information.

Aaron passed away on January 11, 2013, in Brooklyn at the age of 26. His legacy endures through the causes he championed and the people he inspired to continue fighting for open access, digital freedom, and a more equitable internet. He was laid to rest at Shalom Memorial Park in Chicago, leaving behind a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for one’s principles.