Bill Gates’ Harvard professor understands why he dropped out of college: “I just wish I’d invested in him”
The ex-professor of the Microsoft genius spoke about Gates dropping out.
When Bill Gates walked away from Harvard University in 1975 to build what would become one of the world’s biggest tech companies, it surprised the wider world. But at least one of his professors wasn’t taken aback by the choice.
According to Harry Lewis, who taught applied mathematics at Harvard during Gates’ brief time there, the future Microsoft co-founder showed traits that made an early exit almost inevitable.
Gates enrolled at the prestigious university in 1973 after a standout high school career and with a keen interest in mathematics and computing. At Harvard he impressed teachers with his intellectual curiosity and the way he approached academic challenges.
“He always wanted a challenge; I wasn’t surprised when he dropped out”
Lewis reflected this sentiment in comments to The Times of London last week. : “He always wanted a challenge... I wasn’t surprised when he dropped out — I just wish I’d invested in him.”
Gates’ time at Harvard lasted only three semesters. He and his friend and future Microsoft partner Paul Allen saw a business opportunity in the newly emerging personal computer market, driven by machines like the Altair 8800 and the nascent demand for software. The pair decided to devote themselves fully to writing and selling software, a decision that required Gates to leave his academic path behind.
19-year-old computer prodigies Bill Gates and Paul Allen found a new company, “Micro-Soft,” which is short for “micro-computer software.” pic.twitter.com/swoPY33y65
— 1975 Live (@50YearsAgoLive) April 4, 2025
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And dear reader, the gamble paid off. With Gates at the helm, Microsoft quickly became a dominant force in the software industry. By his early 30s, Gates was a billionaire, and Microsoft was shaping the technology that would define personal and corporate computing in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Harvard later recognised his achievements with an honorary degree, closing the loop on a remarkable journey from student to tech pioneer.
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