Bruce Maddox was a Human man in the 24th century, one of Starfleet's foremost cybernetics experts.
Biography
In the year 2341, he was among those asked to rule on the android Data's admittance to Starfleet Academy—he was the only person to object, on the grounds that Data was not a sentient being.
By 2365, Maddox held the rank of commander, and was the Associate Chair of Robotics at the Daystrom Technological Institute. That year, he submitted a proposal to disassemble Lieutenant Commander Data for research purposes, which was approved by Admiral Mamoru Nakamura. Data challenged these orders, and Maddox had to argue his case before Judge Advocate General officer Phillipa Louvois. Louvois ruled against Maddox, though the hearing brought him a greater appreciation of Data's inherent worth. This came to be known as the "Data decision". (TNG episode: "The Measure of a Man", ST website : The Path to 2409)
Despite their earlier friction, Data held no ill will against Maddox, and the two would regularly correspond for several years to follow. (TNG episode: "Data's Day" TNG novel: Immortal Coil)
In the late 24th century, Maddox was a scheduled guest lecturer for the Starfleet Academy course Introduction to Artificial Intelligence. By that point, Maddox had become the Chairman of Robotics at the Daystrom Institute of Technology. (Last Unicorn RPG module: Starfleet Academy Handbook)
In 2374, Maddox worked with Reginald Barclay and Emil Vaslovik on a project to combine holographic technology with a positronic brain to develop a new type of android. Maddox was injured in an attack on the facility by the Exo III androids, who attempted to steal the prototype the team had developed. Unknown to both the androids and Maddox, Vaslovik had stolen the prototype and replaced it with a non-functional dummy. Vaslovik, who revealed himself as the immortal Flint, had hidden the prototype aboard the USS Enterprise-E disguised as Security Chief Rhea McAdams. The Enterprise was successful in defeating the androids, and Maddox returned to his work. (TNG novel: Immortal Coil)
In 2380, Maddox, now holding the rank of captain, argued before Federation President Nanietta Bacco and the Federation Judiciary Council that B-4 should not be disassembled. He was successful in his arguments against Doctor Lars Patek, and B-4 remained in the custody of Maddox and the Daystrom Institute. (ST novel: Articles of the Federation)
Appendices
Appearances and references
- TNG episode: "The Measure of a Man" (first appearance)
- TNG episode: "Contagion" (reference)
- ST website : The Path to 2409
- TNG episode: "Data's Day" (reference)
- TNG novel: Immortal Coil
- Last Unicorn RPG module: Starfleet Academy Handbook
- TNG novel: Immortal Coil
- ST novel: Articles of the Federation
- PIC episode: "Remembrance" (reference)
- PIC episode: "Maps and Legends" (reference)
- PIC episode: "Stardust City Rag"
External link
- Bruce Maddox article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.