I have always been drawn to the quiet figures who orbit brilliant stars. They rarely seek the spotlight, yet their lives carry the weight of extraordinary legacies. Jeremy Sagan stands as one such figure. Born into a family that reshaped how humanity views the cosmos and life itself, he chose a different path. Instead of telescopes or microscopes, he turned to code and sound waves. His story unfolds not in headlines but in lines of software and the steady hum of a MIDI sequencer. As I explore his life, I find a man who quietly built his own universe while the Sagan name echoed across the world.
Roots in a Scientific Dynasty
The date of Jeremy Ethan Sagan’s birth was October 27, 1960. The date seems almost meaningful. Carl Sagan, his father, was already investigating the secrets of Mars and Venus that year. Lynn Margulis, his mother, was developing her ground-breaking endosymbiotic theory. Between 1957 until 1965, they were married and had two boys. Five years after his brother Dorion, Jeremy came. The house was full with ideas. The air was charged with conversations about planetary atmospheres, evolution, and the beginnings of life.
A dramatic change occurred with the 1965 divorce. Carl remarried twice, first to Ann Druyan and then to Linda Salzman. Three more children joined the Sagan line as a result of those couplings. In the meantime, Lynn carried on with her career and developed a new friendship that resulted in the addition of two more children to the family tree. Growing up, Jeremy had to navigate these shifting circles. He maintained a close relationship with both parents, but he set himself away from their scrutiny in public.
The Towering Parents
Carl Sagan needs little introduction. Born in 1934 and passing in 1996, he became the face of popular science. His book Cosmos sold millions. The television series of the same name reached hundreds of millions. He advocated for nuclear disarmament, searched for extraterrestrial intelligence, and reminded us of our fragile place in the vastness. Voyager’s golden records carry his vision into deep space. To many, he remains the voice of wonder.
Lynn Margulis brought a fiercer, more radical energy. Born in 1938, she died in 2011. Her endosymbiotic theory proposed that complex cells arose from ancient bacteria merging rather than gradual mutation. The idea faced ridicule for years. She persisted. Eventually, it became foundational biology. Later in life, she questioned official narratives around major events, including the attacks of September 11, 2001. Her boldness left an imprint on her sons.
Jeremy inherited traits from both. He shares his father’s curiosity and his mother’s willingness to challenge consensus. Yet he expressed those qualities through technology rather than theory.
A Sprawling Family Tree
The extended family forms a constellation of talent. Here is a clear map of the key members:
- Parents
Carl Edward Sagan (1934-1996), astronomer and communicator
Lynn Petra Margulis (1938-2011), evolutionary biologist - Full Sibling
Dorion Sagan (born 1959), science writer and collaborator with Lynn - Half-Siblings via Carl Sagan
Nick Sagan, screenwriter and novelist
Alexandra “Sasha” Sagan, author
Samuel “Sam” Sagan - Half-Siblings via Lynn Margulis
Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma
Jennifer Margulis - Grandparents
Paternal: Samuel Sagan and Rachel Molly Gruber
Maternal: Leona Wise Alexander and Morris Alexander - Aunts
Carol Sagan (sister of Carl)
Joan Shirley Alexander (sister of Lynn)
This network spans generations of thinkers, writers, and creators. Jeremy remains the least visible. He never chased fame. Instead, he built tools that let others create music and art.
From Games to Groundbreaking Software
Jeremy started his career early. At the age of 22, he programmed Pentapus on the Apple II in 1983. It was a straightforward but ingenious puzzle game that rewarded time and reasoning. It was his first foray into the digital realm.
In the 1990s, he discovered his true calling. He created Metro, a MIDI and audio sequencer for Macintosh computers, and formed Sagan Technology. Metro became one of the most enduring tools of its type. It received recognition for its inventiveness and stability. For decades, updates persisted. Metro 7.5’s 2021 release included polyrhythmic support and Music Code. Composers are able to overlay intricate rhythms like interlaced threads in a tapestry thanks to these properties.
Jeremy’s work continues to be influential but specialized. Sound designers and musicians depend on Metro for accurate control. His continuous technical involvement is demonstrated by his GitHub contributions, which include work on the Surge synthesizer. He continues this little legacy from his home in Framingham, Massachusetts.
A Voice in the Shadows
In February 2015, Jeremy appeared in interviews with Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth. He spoke on the 9/11 Free Fall radio show. He described doubts that began in 2002. He pointed to molten steel, thermite traces, and the collapse of Building 7. These views echoed his mother’s skepticism. He admitted reluctance to speak publicly. The topic carries heavy stigma. Yet he felt compelled to share what he saw as evidence.
His stance remains a small but notable part of his public record. It reveals a mind unafraid to question authority. Like his parents, he refuses easy answers.
Life in the Present
Today, Jeremy keeps a low profile. His YouTube channel holds playlists of Depeche Mode, New Order, and other electronic music. LinkedIn lists his role at Sagan Technology. No major controversies or public appearances have surfaced since 2015. He continues refining software. The digital tools he creates remain his primary voice.
I find something poetic in this choice. While his father spoke to billions about the stars and his mother rewrote the story of life, Jeremy shapes soundscapes in silence. He reminds us that brilliance does not always shout. Sometimes it simply works behind the scenes, steady and precise.
FAQ
Who is Jeremy Sagan?
Jeremy Sagan is a software developer and the son of astronomer Carl Sagan and biologist Lynn Margulis. Born in 1960, he created the Metro MIDI sequencer and founded Sagan Technology.
How is Jeremy Sagan related to Carl Sagan?
He is Carl Sagan’s second son from his first marriage to Lynn Margulis.
Did Jeremy Sagan follow his parents into science?
No. He pursued computer programming and music technology rather than astronomy or biology.
What is Metro software?
Metro is a long-running MIDI and audio sequencer for Macintosh computers. Jeremy developed it through Sagan Technology. It has received updates for over two decades.
Does Jeremy Sagan share his mother’s views on 9/11?
Yes. In 2015 interviews, he expressed support for theories questioning the official account of September 11, 2001. These views align with positions his mother Lynn Margulis held.
Where does Jeremy Sagan live now?
He resides in Framingham, Massachusetts.
How many siblings does Jeremy Sagan have?
He has one full brother, Dorion Sagan, and five half-siblings from his parents’ subsequent relationships.
What was Jeremy Sagan’s first credited work?
He programmed the 1983 Apple II game Pentapus.
