Eric Steven Raymond (born December 4, 1957), often referred to as ESR, is a computer programmer, author and advocate for the open source movement.
His reputation within hacker culture was established when he became the maintainer of the Jargon File. After the 1997 publication of The Cathedral and the Bazaar, Raymond became a high-profile representative of the open source movement, and is today one of its most recognized and controversial characters.
Other than his computing interests, Raymond is an avowed anarcho-capitalist and supporter of the Libertarian Party. He is known to have strong interests in science fiction and firearms, is an enthusiastic amateur musician, and has a black belt in taekwondo. He is an advocate of the Second Amendment right to bear arms and supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Raymond identifies himself religiously as a neopagan, is an initiate witch and coven leader.
Raymond has a mild form of congenital cerebral palsy, a condition which motivated him to pursue a future in computing.
The Cathedral & The Bazaar: Musings on Linux and Open Source by an Accidental Revolutionary