Fathom Knowledge Network Inc., founded by Columbia in 1999, launched its website in the spring of 2000 with the goal of providing high quality educational resources to a global audience through the Internet. The Fathom academic consortium grew to include 14 leading educational and cultural institutions dedicated to that goal. The Fathom website ceased operations in March 2003, as part of a reorganization of Columbia University's digital media activities.

During its operation, the Fathom website received visitors from more than 52 countries. Fathom users included students, professionals, educators, and lifelong learners. Over 65,000 of Fathom's visitors enrolled in courses and seminars.

Fathom expanded its content and courses, and created new formats to help reduce barriers to online learning, such as free seminar series and interdisciplinary learning centers. In 2001, the Fathom website was honored by Yahoo, and then in 2002 by Forbes, as a leading educational site. Fathom's alliances with a division of the BBC, the AARP and Elderhostel brought online learning to new and diverse audiences.

Although visitors are no longer be able to purchase courses through Fathom, Columbia will provide this Fathom archive so that interested users may continue to access to the complete range of free content developed for Fathom by its member institutions. Columbia encourages you to browse this archive of online learning resources, including lectures, articles, interviews, exhibits and free seminars. You can find additional online resources from Columbia University at www.columbia.edu and from the members of the Fathom consortium at their own websites.