A renowned fantasy and science fiction author, crafting intricate, layered narratives that blur boundaries between mythology, history, and reality. His works are revered for their complexity and depth.
Gene Wolfe, the Melville of science fiction, is a name synonymous with dense, allusive prose and a profound influence of Catholic faith on his writing. He is best known for his Book of the New Sun series, a four-volume epic that has been ranked as the third-best fantasy novel published before 1990 by Locus magazine.
Born on May 7, 1931, in New York City, Wolfe grew up in Houston, Texas, after his family moved there when he was just six years old. He contracted polio as a small child, but that didn't deter him from pursuing his passion for writing. Wolfe published his first speculative fiction in The Commentator, a student literary journal, while attending Texas A&M University.
After dropping out of college, Wolfe was drafted to fight in the Korean War. Upon returning to the United States, he earned a degree from the University of Houston and became an industrial engineer. He worked as a senior editor on the staff of the journal Plant Engineering for many years before retiring to write full-time. One of his most notable achievements as an engineer was his contribution to the machine used to make Pringles potato chips.
Wolfe's writing career spanned over four decades, during which he wrote numerous novels and short stories that have won him many awards and accolades. He was honored as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and his works have been translated into numerous languages. His Solar Cycle, which includes the Book of the New Sun series, is considered one of the most ambitious and complex works of fantasy ever written.
Wolfe lived in Barrington, Illinois, with his wife Rosemary, where they raised four children. They moved to Peoria, Illinois in 2013. Wolfe underwent double bypass surgery on April 24, 2010, and cataract surgery on his right eye. He passed away on April 14, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional literature and a generation of writers inspired by his work.
Gene Wolfe's influence on modern science fiction and fantasy is immeasurable. He has been an inspiration to many writers, including Neil Gaiman, Patrick Rothfuss, and George R.R. Martin. His unique writing style, which blended myth, history, and imagination, has set a new standard for the genre.
Gene Wolfe's legacy extends beyond his writing. He has left us with a wealth of wisdom and insights into the human condition. As he once said, "The universe is not only stranger than we think, it is stranger than we can think."
Wolfe's work continues to inspire and influence writers, artists, and thinkers around the world. His legacy is a testament to the power of imagination and the importance of pushing the boundaries of human creativity.
96 Years Old
A celebrated author of fantasy and science fiction, crafting imaginative worlds and exploring complex social themes, particularly in the Earthsea series and The Left Hand of Darkness.
Born in 1920
A renowned science fiction author and biochemistry professor who wrote or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards throughout his lifetime.
Born in 1920
Prolific author of poetic and imaginative science fiction, exploring the human condition through fantastical worlds and characters, with works adapted into films and TV shows.
Born in 1917
Pioneering science fiction author who wrote prophetic and imaginative novels, such as "2001: A Space Odyssey", that explored the intersection of technology and humanity.
Born in 1907
Pioneering science fiction author and screenwriter who penned influential classics like "Stranger in a Strange Land" and "Starship Troopers", exploring complex social and philosophical themes.
Born in 1919
Pioneering science fiction author and journalist, known for exploring complex social and philosophical themes in his works, including the award-winning novel "Gateway".
Born in 1913
A renowned sinologist and science fiction author, best known for blending Eastern and Western cultural elements in his imaginative and philosophical stories. His works explore the intersection of technology, humanity, and morality.
94 Years Old
A Lithuanian-American author and critic, known for blending science fiction and social commentary in his works, exploring the human condition through futuristic and philosophical themes.
