Internet activist, co-creator of Reddit, and founder of Demand Progress, Aaron Swartz committed suicide today in New York City, according to a report from MIT's The Tech. Swartz was 26.
Swartz rose to fame at the age of 14 after helping to author the first specification of Rich Site Summer (RSS). He also helped create Reddit, and founded Demand Progress, an organization that had a key role in the anti-SOPA movement.
In July 2011, Swartz was indicted for allegedly attempting to steal the JSTOR archives from the MIT network and make them public. He was facing 50 years in prison at the time of his death.
Update: Aaron Swartz's family releases official statement:
Swartz's funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 15 at Central Avenue Synagogue in Highland Park, Illinois. For remembrances of Aaron and to make a donation in his memory, visit RememberAaron.com.
