IDG Founder Pat McGovern Dies At Age 76

International Data Group, or IDG, announced Thursday that its founder and chairman, Patrick McGovern, has died at the age of 76.

A pioneer in the IT publications world and a graduate of MIT, McGovern founded IDG in 1964 to provide tech market data to the fledgling computer industry. He launched one of the industry's most popular and influential publications, Computerworld, in 1967.

During the course of his lifetime, McGovern oversaw the launch of more than 300 publications and hundreds of websites, including CIO, CSO, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, PC World, and TechHive.

Publications bearing the IDG brand can now be found in 97 nations, the company said. 

McGovern was also a noted philanthropist. In 2000, he and his wife donated $350 million for the establishment of a brain research center at MIT. 

IDG said in a statement that it plans to remain a privately held company. IDG's former president, Walter Boyd, has been elected chairman of the board, succeeding McGovern. IDG's chief financial officer, Ted Bloom, will take on the additional role of president of the company. 

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