Jolyon Ralph

From Mindat

Jolyon Ralph is the creator and webmaster of mindat.org, or to give him his full correct title Benevolent Dictator for Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benevolent_Dictator_for_Life).

Jolyon Ralph was born a few days before the first successful demonstration of the internet, back in October 1969. After studying Geology at Imperial College, London, he took a computing support job in BP (British Petroleum). Following from this Jolyon worked as a programmer, consultant, software publisher, computer forensics expert witness, computer journalist and lecturer.

In recent years Jolyon worked for Top Hat Computing Ltd, a Croydon-based Microsoft consultancy, as senior consultant. During his time at Top Hat Computing Jolyon provided consultancy for major companies - most notably BBC News where Jolyon spent much of his assisting with Windows NT and specialist newsroom software issues. Jolyon gave up his position on the board of Top Hat Computing when he left the company.

Jolyon formed Mysterious Ways (http://www.mways.co.uk) in late 1999 to develop his Internet ideas - the company has rapidly expanded since then and Jolyon has continued to operate both as managing director and to continue technical services such as programming and internet consultancy work for their clients.

Jolyon is married to Ida, they live in South London, and he is a member of the Russell Society, The Sussex Lapidary and Mineralogical Society, and the Walker Club (of Toronto). He sometimes finds time to go out to collect rocks, but not often.