Paul Allen was born in Seattle in 1953 to Ken and Faye Allen, a librarian and a teacher, respectivelly. In 1975, Allen and his high school friend Bill Gates started Microsoft. In 1983, Paul Allen left Microsoft after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. After he completed treatment, he opened his software company Asymetrix in 1985, and a year later he and his sister Jody Allen founded Vulcan, Inc. to manage his business and philanthropic efforts, including three professional sports franchises. Paul Allen's philanthropic, scientific, and business endeavors made a significant impact on the Seattle area, from founding the Allen Institutes for Brain Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Cell Science; to creating the Experience Music Project (now Museum of Popular Culture) and Seattle Art Fair; to transforming Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood.

This photo of Paul Allen in his office was taken around 1990, when he was running Asymetrix.

Sticker on verso: Paul Allen left Microsoft in 1983 after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. He is now one of the richest men in America, with assets of more than 2 billion dollars. Print copyright 1998

Caption information source: "About," PaulAllen.com, https://www.paulallen.com/About.aspx