Paul G. Allen was an investor and philanthropist. He created and advanced world-class projects and high-impact initiatives that changed and improved the way people live, learn, work, and experience the world through arts, education, entertainment, sports, business, and technology. He cofounded Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975 and remained the company's chief technologist until he left Microsoft in 1983. Allen founded Vulcan Inc. in 1986 and the Experience Music Project, now the Museum of Pop Culture, in 2000.

With lifetime giving of about $1 billion, Allen was named one of the top philanthropists in America. Allen gave back to the community through the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, dedicated to changing the trajectory of people’s lives and strengthening communities through catalytic philanthropy. In 2003, Allen contributed $100 million to create the Allen Institute for Brain Science. The Seattle-based Institute is an independent, nonprofit medical research organization dedicated to accelerating the understanding of how the brain works.

Paul Allen was a supporter and friend of CHM. We remember Paul and his last visit to the Museum, where he joined Jose Antonio Vargas for a conversation about his book and memoir, Idea Man.