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Aaron H. SwartzAmerican Internet activist, programmer and author
Date of Birth: 08.11.1986
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Aaron Swartz
Aaron H. Swartz was an American internet activist, programmer, and author of "The Death of a Genius." His suicide in early 2013 shocked not only his family and loved ones, but also millions of people in the internet community. Swartz took his own life following charges of hacking for the purpose of distributing information. He faced the possibility of up to 50 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. However, Swartz chose not to wait for the court's decision and found his own way to avoid it.
Early Life
Aaron Swartz was born in 1986 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Susan and Robert Swartz, and the family lived in Highland Park, Illinois. With his family owning a computer company, it's no surprise that Swartz developed an interest in technology and the internet from a young age. At the age of 13, he won the "ArsDigita Prize" for young creators of useful, non-profit educational websites. This prize included a trip to the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a meeting with internet celebrities.
Career and Activism
At the age of 14, Swartz participated in the creation of the RSS (Rich Site Summary) specification and became a member of the RDF group. He later started studying at Stanford University but left after one year to pursue his own project and establish his own company. He later resumed his studies at Harvard University.
Swartz quickly became known as a prominent internet activist, advocating for the free dissemination of information. He authored several well-known articles and actively opposed copyright laws and internet control. He was one of the leaders of the Demand Progress group, which advocated for the elimination of censorship on the internet. In 2006, Swartz worked as a volunteer editor for Wikipedia, and his article "Who Writes Wikipedia" became widely read on the internet.
Legal Troubles
Swartz's first legal troubles arose in 2009 when he was accused of downloading information from the PACER federal court database. The case, however, was closed without official charges after two months. In the summer of 2011, criminal charges were filed against Swartz for computer fraud, specifically for downloading millions of files from the JSTOR online library and making them publicly available. These files consisted of scientific articles from MIT. Swartz was released on bail of $100,000, but the court's verdict could have resulted in a significant fine and a prison sentence ranging from 35 to 50 years.
Tragic End
On January 11, 2013, Swartz was found hanged in his apartment in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The official investigation found no signs of foul play, and his death was officially ruled a suicide. Swartz's funeral took place on January 15, 2013, at the Central Avenue Synagogue in Highland Park.
Legacy
Swartz, who was known as a "champion of internet freedom," garnered an enormous public outcry following his death. Over 10,000 people signed a petition to the White House, claiming that Swartz had faced incredible pressure from the authorities. His tragic story continues to inspire discussions on internet freedom and the balance between information access and copyright laws.
