Patrick Joseph McGovern
Patrick Joseph McGovern | |
---|---|
Born | Patrick Joseph McGovern Jr. August 11, 1937 Queens, New York |
Died | March 19, 2014 | (aged 76)
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S., Biophysics, 1959) |
Occupation(s) | Businessman, publisher, entrepreneur |
Known for | Founding Computerworld magazine, large donation to MIT to found the McGovern Institute for Brain Research |
Patrick Joseph McGovern Jr. (August 11, 1937 – March 19, 2014) was an American businessman, and chairman and founder of International Data Group (IDG), a company with subsidiaries in technology publishing, research, event management and venture capital.
In September, 2013, he was listed on the Forbes 400 list of the richest Americans, having a net worth of $5.1 billion.[2]
Biography
After university, his first job was writing for the first computer magazine,
In 1980 he created one of the first American-Chinese joint ventures, and in 1997 Forbes estimated that "Pat McGovern has more readers in China than the People's Daily does."[6] In 1991 his company published "DOS For Dummies", the first of the very popular "For Dummies" series of books explaining various subjects to the lay person.[7] Bloomberg News reported that IDG had 280 million regular readers of its publications, and annual revenues of $3.6 billion.[8]
Personal life
Although he was born in
At the time of his death, surviving family members included his wife, Lore Harp McGovern, a son, Patrick McGovern, daughter Elizabeth McGovern, stepdaughters Michelle Harp Bethel and Dina Jackson, and nine grandchildren.[10]
Death
In May 2012, Patrick McGovern had open heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He died March 19, 2014, aged 76.[11][12]
IDG legacy
After his death, the ownership of IDG was transferred to the McGovern Foundation; in 2016, the foundation retained Goldman Sachs to explore a sale.[13] On March 29, China Oceanwide Holdings Group announced the close of the acquisition of International Data Group, Inc. ("IDG").[14] In June 2021, it was announced that the company had again been sold, to The Blackstone Group, for $1.3 billion.
References
- ^ V. I. A. Gallery (November 15, 2009). "IDG Chairman Patrick J. McGovern awarded the "Innovation Award" for VIA Nano Processor to Tom Hsu, the Chief Administrative Officer of VIA China". flickr. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "Profile: Patrick McGovern", Forbes magazine, Forbes.com; accessed May 16, 2011.
- ^ "MIT 2009 Bronze Beaver Award Winners" Archived 2014-03-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Patrick J. McGovern, 1937-2014". McGovern Institute. MIT. March 20, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, Maryfran (September 30, 2002). "Computerworld's Founder Looks Back on 35 Years". Computerworld. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ "Patrick J. McGovern, 76; founded International Data Group - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
- ^ The Boston Globe[1] by J.M. Lawrence, March 23, 2014
- ^ Bloomberg[2] by Laurence Arnold, March 20, 2014
- ^ "Press Release - Nobel Laureate Horvitz to Take Helm at Society for Science & the Public; Craig R. Barrett, Patrick J. McGovern, and Joe Palca join Distinguished Board; H. Robert Horvitz Elected Chair", press release, Society for Science & the Public, WASHINGTON, D.C., October 13, 2010
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ "Patrick J. McGovern: 1937-2014", Obituary from the McGovern Institute at MIT.
- ^ Miller, Stephen; Ante, Spencer E., "Patrick McGovern Dies at 76: Publisher Helped Define Computer Age and Made World Safe for 'Dummies'"], The Wall Street Journal, March 20, 2014
- ^ Seave, Ava. "Tech Publisher IDG Transforming Itself From Within As It Braces For Sale Or Breakup". Forbes. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ "China Oceanwide Completes Acquisition of IDG • IDG". IDG. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
Further reading
- Mearian, Lucas (2017). "At the start: Pat McGovern and the birth of Computerworld". Computerworld.
External links
- Official Biography
- MIT announcement of the McGovern Institute
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research website
- Pat McGovern Playlist Appearance on WMBR's Dinnertime Sampler radio show November 3, 2004