Who Is Donald Knuth? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on January 10, 1938, Donald Knuth is an iconic American computer scientist and mathematician best known for his multi-volume work, The Art of Computer Programming. As of 2025, Knuth is 87 years old. His contributions to computer science include the invention of the TeX typesetting system, which has revolutionized the publication of scientific documents. Knuth is celebrated not just for his academic achievements but also for his philosophical insights on programming and computer science.
| Occupation | Computer Programmer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 10, 1938 |
| Age | 87 Years |
| Birth Place | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Donald Knuth's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements for Donald Knuth's body stats are not publicly available, it’s known that he has maintained a healthy lifestyle throughout his life. As per estimates, he stands at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Donald Knuth has been married to his wife, Jill Knuth, since 1961. Together, they have three children. Their longstanding marriage highlights a relationship built on mutual respect and shared interests in education and science. There are no reports of any other relationships or boyfriends, as Knuth has always been quite private about his personal life.
Donald Ervin Knuth (born January 10, 1938) is an American computer scientist and mathematician. He is a professor emeritus at Stanford University. He is the 1974 recipient of the ACM Turing Award, informally considered the Nobel Prize of computer science. Knuth has been called the "father of the analysis of algorithms".
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Donald Knuth's estimated net worth is around $5 million. His wealth has accumulated through his career as a professor, author, and speaker in the field of computer science. While precise salary figures are not publicly disclosed, his contributions to academia and the tech industry have secured him a comfortable lifestyle.
Knuth was offered a $100,000 contract to write compilers at Green Tree Corporation but turned it down making a decision not to optimize income and continued at Caltech and Burroughs.
He received a National Science Foundation Fellowship and Woodrow Wilson Foundation Fellowship but they had the condition that you could not do anything else but study as a graduate student so he would not be able to continue as a consultant to Burroughs. He chose to turn down the fellowships and continued with Burroughs.
In summer 1962, he wrote a FORTRAN compiler for Univac, but considered that “I sold my soul to the devil” to write a FORTRAN compiler.
Career, Business, and Investments
Donald Knuth's career spans several decades, beginning with him joining Stanford University as a professor of computer science in 1968. His influential works, particularly The Art of Computer Programming, remain essential reading materials in computing. Beyond academic pursuits, Knuth has made investments in technology and education, often emphasizing the importance of teaching programming and algorithmic thinking.
Knuth is also known for his commitment to research and has been involved in various projects that contribute to advancements in computer science—upholding his reputation as one of the leading figures in the field.
At the end of his senior year at Case in 1960, Knuth proposed to Burroughs Corporation to write an ALGOL compiler for the B205 for $5,500. The proposal was accepted and he worked on the ALGOL compiler between graduating from Case and going to Caltech.
Social Network
Though not particularly active on social media, Donald Knuth maintains a presence in the academic and technical communities. He occasionally shares insights and updates on platforms like LinkedIn and has participated in various forums discussing the future of computer programming.
In the 1970s, Knuth called computer science "a totally new field with no real identity. And the standard of available publications was not that high. A lot of the papers coming out were quite simply wrong. ... So one of my motivations was to put straight a story that had been very badly told."
Education
Donald Knuth's educational journey began at Case Institute of Technology, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1960. He later obtained his Ph.D. in mathematics from the California Institute of Technology in 1963. His educational background laid the groundwork for his profound contributions to both mathematics and computer science.
Knuth received a scholarship in physics to the Case Institute of Technology (now part of Case Western Reserve University) in Cleveland, Ohio, enrolling in 1956. He also joined the Beta Nu Chapter of the Theta Chi fraternity. While studying physics at Case, Knuth was introduced to the IBM 650, an early commercial computer.
After reading the computer's manual, Knuth decided to rewrite the assembly and compiler code for the machine used in his school because he believed he could do it better.
