Interviewee: Roger Coleman

  • Interviewee: Roger Coleman                                                   DOB: 1932

Interviewer: Tim-Greening Jackson

Date of Interview: 22.05.2008

Role in LEO: Computer Programmer, Systems Analyst

Joined LEO: December 1954

Abstract: Roger left Mill Hill school in 1950 to self-study to become an actuary but in 1954 responded to an advertisement for a programmer job at Cadby Hall. Joined LEO aged 22, the then youngest programmer. Rapid progress led to him being given the British Rail station to station distancing job working with John Gosden under David Caminer. The oral history is confined to his early career and the details of the BR job.  A text-only Part 1 to the composite oral history provides a summary of his career to retirement.  His career after leaving LEO in 1957 included managing the LEO 2/9 at Ilford Limited, working for Ford Motor Company and rising to head much of their European Computer organisation, and finishing his career as a private consultant.

Repository:  

Composite Oral History: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12xzlyGxQrqJe6Y6Dp9QLpO6vAqb4JLmx/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106995194925914651236&rtpof=true&sd=true

Link: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53368/Roger-Coleman-Interview/

Recording: Windows Media Player

Copyright: Tim Greening-Jackson, but unrestricted access permitted subject to due acknowledgements. 

Restrictions: None Known

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