Richard Stallman Quotes

A collection of quotes by Richard Stallman.

Richard Stallman, also widely known as RMS, is a prominent American software freedom activist and computer programmer. Born on March 16, 1953, in New York City, Stallman has made significant contributions to the field of computer science. He is best known for launching the Free Software Movement and developing the GNU operating system, along with creating the concept of copyleft.

Stallman's passion for software freedom began in the 1980s when he became frustrated with the increasing restrictions introduced by proprietary software. In response, he founded the Free Software Foundation (FSF) in 1985 to advocate for and promote the principles of software freedom. One of his most noteworthy accomplishments is the GNU General Public License (GPL), a popular software license that ensures users’ freedom to use, study, modify, and distribute software.

Beyond his advocacy work, Stallman is also a skilled programmer. During the early stages of the GNU project, he developed numerous essential components, such as the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) and the GNU Emacs text editor. Despite formally stepping down from the FSF in 2019, Stallman continues to be an influential figure in the software freedom movement, engaging in speaking engagements, writing, and advocating for digital rights.

Richard Stallman's unwavering commitment to software freedom and his remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on the field of computer science, inspiring countless individuals to join the movement for open, collaborative, and accessible software.