Interviewee: Barry Fox DOB 1935
Interviewer: John Daines
Date of Interview: 19th July 2017
Editors: David Phillips (P1) and Frank Land (P2)
Joined LEO installation: 1958
Role at LEO: Programmer
Left LEO: 1966
Abstract: Graduated from Birmingham University with a Maths degree before National Service in where he learned programming on an Elliott 402 machine. Enjoying programming he applied for a programming job with LEO. His prior programming experience allowed him to pass the LEO aptitude test with ease and after surviving an interview with David Caminer was immediately taken on as a programmer. His programming career started with working on LEO II applications including the Glynn Mills Officers payroll under John Lewis and then progressed toto systems software working at Minerva Road. After working on the Intercode translator took a key role in the design and programming of the CLEO compiler for LEO III. After the formation of EELM worked on System 4. Moved to Kidsgrove, keeping up his interest in the design of computer languages and as as a result of his expertise was assigned as an EELM representative under John Pinkerton on ECMA. Continued working in this field until in the mid 80s interest in language and compiler design faded and as a result took early retirement at age 55. Whilst at LEO married fellow programmer Margaret James, started family life and had 3 children. In retirement he joined Congleton Sustainability Group and runs a Green Living course for Congleton U3A, and has acted on his life-long interest in cycling as secretary of the local cycling club.
Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/64032/Barry-Fox-Interview-19-July-2017-64032/
Copyright: Leo Computers Society.
Restrictions: None known