#2: Asimov/Clarke/Heinlein/Huxley/Stapledon/van Vogt/Bradbury/Orwell

[Coír Draoi Ceítien]

Science Fiction Visionaries: #2

The period from 1938 to 1946 is considered by many historians of the genre to be the "Golden Age of Science Fiction", generally seen to be ushered in under the direction of John W. Campbell, editor of Astounding Science Fiction and a respected science fiction writer in his own right. It was noted for a sense of optimism in the achievements of science, as well as the development of space opera and a sense of wonder. This batch of authors is composed of those individuals who wrote either slightly before or during that period and remain some of the brightest and most respected figures.



ISAAC ASIMOV (1920-1992)

Russian-born Isaac Asimov is one of the most seminal figures in the genre, famous for coining the legendary fictional "Three Laws of Robotics" in his early robot stories, several of which were collected in I, Robot and expounded upon in novels such as The Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun, The Robots of Dawn, and Robots and Empire. Another achievement would be a fictional science of "psychohistory" which would figure in his most famous work, the  Foundation series (Foundation, Foundation and Empire, and Second Foundation), chronicling the decline of a Galactic Empire and the rise of its successor; a concurrently written prequel series (Pebble in the Sky, The Stars, Like Dust, and The Currents of Space) would follow the history of the Empire itself. Other single novels were highly regarded, such as The End of Eternity, the Hugo-winning The Gods Themselves, and Nemesis. He also wrote mysteries and fantasy in his later years, in addition to being honorary president of the American Humanist Association.

Offsite resources:

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Asimov)
Encyclopedia of Fantasy (http://sf-encyclopedia.uk/fe.php?nm=asimov_isaac)
Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/asimov_isaac)
Encyclopedia Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Isaac-Asimov)
TV Tropes (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Creator/IsaacAsimov)
The Isaac Asimov Home Page (http://www.asimovonline.com/asimov_home_page.html)
Forbes.com – Isaac Asimov: A Family Immigrant Who Changed Science Fiction and the World (https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2019/04/16/isaac-asimov-a-family-immigrant-who-changed-science-fiction-and-the-world/#6003d3035a30)
The New York Times – What Isaac Asimov Taught Us About Predicting the Future (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/31/books/review/isaac-asimov-psychohistory.html)
Tor.com – On This Day: Isaac Asimov (https://www.tor.com/2016/01/02/a-science-fiction-halo-rests-slantedly-over-isaac-asimovs-amiable-head/)
Tor.com – On the Origins of Modern Biology and the Fantastic, Part 8: Isaac Asimov and Messenger RNA (https://www.tor.com/2019/02/06/on-the-origins-of-modern-biology-and-the-fantastic-part-8-isaac-asimov-and-messenger-rna/)
Tor.com – Tampering with Historical Destiny: Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy (https://www.tor.com/2011/07/08/tampering-with-historical-destiny-isaac-asimovs-foundation-trilogy/)
Tor.com – Time Control: Isaac Asimov's The End of Eternity (https://www.tor.com/2010/07/08/time-control-isaac-asimovs-the-end-of-eternity/)
Tor.com – Great Aliens, Rubber Humans: Isaac Asimov's The Gods Themselves (https://www.tor.com/2011/03/08/great-aliens-rubber-humans-isaac-asimovs-the-gods-themselves/)



ARTHUR C. CLARKE (1917-2008)

Arthur C. Clarke, a contemporary of Asimov, was renowned for his popularization of space travel and predictions of the future, whose science fiction was concerned with the advanced evolution of humanity and technological development. His reputation was cemented by novels such as Childhood's End and The City and the Stars, as well as short stories like "The Sentinel", "The Star", and "The Nine Billion Names of God"; other well-received works include A Fall of Moondust, Rendezvous with Rama, The Fountains of Paradise, The Songs of Distant Earth, and The Hammer of God. Perhaps his most famous work is 2001: A Space Odyssey, a tale of the search for human advancement in space which was written concurrently with the legendary film directed by Stanley Kubrick; three sequels followed. He emigrated to Sri Lanka in 1956, where he would remain until his death, but not before receiving a both knighthood and high honors from both his native and adopted countries.

Offsite resources:

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke)
Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/clarke_arthur_c)
Encyclopedia Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arthur-C-Clarke)
TV Tropes (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Creator/ArthurCClarke)
The Arthur C. Clarke Official Website (http://arthurcclarke.org/#start)
The Arthur C. Clarke Foundation (http://www.clarkefoundation.org/)
Tor.com – On the Origins of Modern Biology and the Fantastic, Part 9: Arthur C. Clarke and the Genetic Code (https://www.tor.com/2019/03/07/on-the-origins-of-modern-biology-and-the-fantastic-part-9-arthur-c-clarke-and-the-genetic-code/)
Tor.com – Wow! Wait, What? Wow!: Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End (https://www.tor.com/2012/07/31/wow-wait-what-wow-arthur-c-clarkes-childhoods-end/)
Tor.com – Engineering and Sri Lanka: Arthur C. Clarke's The Fountains of Paradise (https://www.tor.com/2011/04/22/engineering-and-sri-lanka-arthur-c-clarkes-the-fountains-of-paradise/)
Tor.com – A Future That Never Came: Arthur C. Clarke's A Fall of Moondust (https://www.tor.com/2010/09/29/a-future-that-never-came-arthur-c-clarkes-a-fall-of-moondust/)



ROBERT A. HEINLEIN (1907-1988)

Often regarded as "the dean of science fiction", Robert A. Heinlein ranks with Asimov and Clarke as one of the "Big Three" of American sci-fi writers, being one of the first to tackle scientific accuracy and competent individual achievement in his work. His early work consisted of a series highly praised juvenilia such as Red Planet, Farmer in the Sky, The Rolling Stones, Starman Jones, The Star Beast, Tunnel in the Sky, Citizen of the Galaxy, and Have Space Suit—Will Travel, as well as adult work including The Puppet Masters, Double Star (his first Hugo winner), and The Door into Summer. His middle period showed an increased interest in exploring social and sexual mores in such Hugo-winning classics as the militaristic Starship Troopers, the countercultural Stranger in a Strange Land, and the libertarian The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress; other notable works of this period and later include Glory Road, Time Enough for Love, Friday, and Job: A Comedy of Justice. Today, terms such as "grok", "speculative fiction", and "space marine" can be attributed to Heinlein, as well as predictions of future conveniences such as the waterbed and the cell phone.

Offsite resources:

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_A._Heinlein)
Encyclopedia of Fantasy (http://sf-encyclopedia.uk/fe.php?nm=heinlein_robert_a)
Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/heinlein_robert_a)
Encyclopedia Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-A-Heinlein)
TV Tropes (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Creator/RobertAHeinlein)
The Heinlein Society (http://www.heinleinsociety.org/)
Tor.com – On This Day: Robert A. Heinlein (https://www.tor.com/2017/07/07/on-this-day-heinlein/)
Tor.com – On the Origins of Modern Biology and the Fantastic, Part 7: Robert A. Heinlein and DNA Replication (https://www.tor.com/2018/10/18/on-the-origins-of-modern-biology-and-the-fantastic-part-7-robert-a-heinlein-and-dna-replication/)
Tor.com – Child Markers and Adulthood in Robert A. Heinlein's Juveniles (https://www.tor.com/2011/06/09/child-markers-and-adulthood-in-robert-a-heinleins-juveniles/)
Tor.com – Incredibly Readable: Robert A. Heinlein's The Door into Summer (https://www.tor.com/2010/02/10/incredibly-readable-robert-heinleins-lemgthe-door-into-summerlemg/)
Tor.com – Over the Hump: Robert A. Heinlein's Starship Troopers (https://www.tor.com/2009/03/05/over-the-hump-robert-a-heinleins-starship-troopers/)
Tor.com – Smug Messiah: Robert A. Heinlein's Strange in a Strange Land (https://www.tor.com/2010/12/10/smug-messiah-robert-a-heinleins-stranger-in-a-strange-land/)
Tor.com – Parliamentary Democracy with Martians: Robert A. Heinlein's Double Star  (https://www.tor.com/2010/07/22/parliamentary-democracy-with-martians-robert-heinleins-double-star/)
Tor.com – A Self-Aware Computer and a Revolution on the Moon: Robert A. Heinlein's The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (https://www.tor.com/2010/10/15/a-self-aware-computer-and-a-revolution-on-the-moon-robert-a-heinleins-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress/)



ALDOUS HUXLEY (1894-1963)

Grandson of evolutionary popularizer Thomas Henry Huxley, Aldous Huxley was a humanist and pacifist with an increasing interest in philosophical mysticism and universalism, as explored in his nonfiction works The Perennial Philosophy and The Doors of Perception. He wrote social satires for his first four novels before addressing the hedonistic concerns of his age with the dystopian classic Brave New World, which anticipates a world run by genetic engineering, class conditioning, and drug manipulation; his final novel, Island, would provide a utopian counterpart along similar lines. By the time of his death, Huxley was regarded as one of the foremost intellectuals of the 20th century.

Offsite resources:

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldous_Huxley)
Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/huxley_aldous)
Encyclopedia Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aldous-Huxley)
Biography.com (https://www.biography.com/writer/aldous-huxley)
Academy of Ideas – Aldous Huxley and Brave New World: The Dark Side of Pleasure (https://academyofideas.com/2018/06/aldous-huxley-brave-new-world-dark-side-of-pleasure/)
Tor.com – On the Origins of Modern Biology and the Fantastic, Part 3: Aldous Huxley and Thomas Hunt Morgan (https://www.tor.com/2018/05/24/on-the-origins-of-modern-biology-and-the-fantastic-part-3-aldous-huxley-and-thomas-hunt-morgan/)



OLAF STAPLEDON (1886-1950)

A conscientious objector during World War I, William Olaf Stapledon earned honors for being an ambulance driver in France and Belgium and later earned a PhD in philosophy from the University of Liverpool. While he began with nonfiction, he felt that he could reach a wider audience for his ideas with fiction and subsequently wrote Last and First Men, one of the first epic future histories covering eighteen generations of humanity; a successive story, Star Maker, covers an even greater scale – the history of the cosmos up to the meeting of the supreme creator of it. Other noteworthy works are Odd John, focused on an intellectual superhuman, and Sirius, where a dog's intelligence is raised to a human's. Stapledon's work has been acclaimed by numerous authors, particularly C. S. Lewis, who wrote his Space Trilogy in response to his ideas.

Offsite resources:

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olaf_Stapledon)
Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/stapledon_olaf)
Encyclopedia Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Olaf-Stapledon)
TV Tropes (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Creator/OlafStapledon)
Chronicles Magazine – Olaf Stapledon: Philosopher and Fabulist (https://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/olaf-stapledon-philosopher-and-fabulist/)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers in the Great War: Olaf Stapledon (https://fantastic-writers-and-the-great-war.com/the-writers/olaf-stapledon/)
Turing Church – Star Maker: The Cosmic Theology of Olaf Stapledon (https://turingchurch.net/star-maker-the-cosmic-theology-of-olaf-stapledon-26c80d56c2d9)
Pop Matters – Olaf Stapledon: Of His Times, and Others (https://www.popmatters.com/olaf-stapledon-of-his-time-and-others-2496208513.html)
Factor Daily – Our Turbulent World Against a Background of Stars: Why Olaf Stapledon's Star Maker Is Essential Reading, Even Today (https://factordaily.com/olaf-stapledon-star-makers/)
Tor.com – On the Origins of Modern Biology and the Fantastic, Part 5: Olaf Stapledon and the Modern Synthesis (https://www.tor.com/2018/08/02/on-the-origins-of-modern-biology-and-the-fantastic-part-5-olaf-stapledon-and-the-modern-synthesis/)
Black Gate – Literature and Ideas: Olaf Stapledon's Star Maker (https://www.blackgate.com/2011/03/06/literature-and-ideas-olaf-stapledons-star-maker/)



A. E. VAN VOGT (1912-2000)

Canadian-born Alfred Elton van Vogt was one of the Golden Age's most popular writers, whose idiosyncratic style would influence later writers such as Philip K. Dick. He began writing in 1938, working even during WWII, where he was ineligible to serve due to poor eyesight. One of his first stories, "The Black Destroyer", which was included in the fixup novel The Voyage of the Space Beagle inspired several adapted stories, including the movie Alien; another story, one of his most famous, is the novel Slan, in which psychic supermen live in secret from their human oppressors. Further successes were The Book of Ptath, The Weapon Makers, The World of Null-A, The Weapon Shops of Isher, The War Against the Rull, The Mixed Men, Empire of the Atom, and The Wizard of Linn. He is well regarded by many writers but equally reviled by some, and his reputation is somewhat marred by being an avid supporter of L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics.

Offsite resources:

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._E._van_Vogt)
Encyclopedia of Fantasy (http://sf-encyclopedia.uk/fe.php?nm=van_vogt_a_e)
Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/van_vogt_a_e)
Encyclopedia Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/biography/A-E-Van-Vogt)
TV Tropes (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Creator/AEVanVogt)
Sevagram: The A. E. van Vogt Information Site (http://www.icshi.net/sevagram/)
Conceptual Fiction – The Chaotic Sci-Fi of A. E. van Vogt: A Centenary Tribute (http://www.conceptualfiction.com/van_vogt.html)
The Finch & the Pea – The Infuriating and Essential Science Fiction of A. E. van Vogt (https://thefinchandpea.com/2013/01/14/the-infuriating-and-essential-science-fiction-of-a-e-van-vogt/)
Black Gate – Vintage Treasures: The Voyage of the Space Beagle by A. E. van Vogt (https://www.blackgate.com/2014/09/24/vintage-treasures-the-voyage-of-the-space-beagle-by-a-e-van-vogt/)
Black Gate – The Golden Age of Science Fiction: A. E. van Vogt (https://www.blackgate.com/2019/04/28/the-golden-age-of-science-fiction-a-e-van-vogt/)
Black Gate – Classically Awful or Awfully Classic: A. E. van Vogt's The World of Null-A (https://www.blackgate.com/2016/03/02/classically-awful-or-awfully-classic-van-vogts-the-world-of-null-a/)



RAY BRADBURY (1920-2012)

Writer, cartoonist, and magician, Ray Bradbury channeled a lifelong love of reading and comic books into a long and illustrious career, becoming one of the most beloved and respected figures in speculative fiction. His prolific output included a series of tales set on an imaginary Mars, collected as The Martian Chronicles, followed by numerous collections such as The Illustrated Man, The Golden Apples of the Sun, and I Sing the Body Electric. Perhaps his most celebrated science fiction work is the dystopian classic Fahrenheit 451, set in a future where books are outlawed and a "fireman" tasked with burning them discovers the forbidden joys of learning. His work remains a perennial favorite and a constant inspiration to writers of all ages.

Offsite resources:

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Bradbury)
Encyclopedia of Fantasy (http://sf-encyclopedia.uk/fe.php?nm=bradbury_ray)
Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/bradbury_ray)
The Official Ray Bradbury Website (http://www.raybradbury.com/)
Bio.com (https://www.biography.com/people/ray-bradbury-9223240#synopsis)
New World Encyclopedia (http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ray_Bradbury)
The Paris Review – Ray Bradbury, The Art of Fiction No. 203 (https://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/6012/ray-bradbury-the-art-of-fiction-no-203-ray-bradbury)
The New Yorker – Take Me Home by Ray Bradbury (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/06/04/take-me-home)
Tor.com – Remembering Ray Bradbury (https://www.tor.com/2012/06/08/remembering-ray-bradbury/)
Black Gate – I Want to Believe: Ray Bradbury and the Sci-Fi in the Everyday (https://www.blackgate.com/2015/06/20/i-want-to-believe-ray-bradbury-and-the-sci-fi-in-the-everyday/)
Black Gate – One Shot, One Story: Ray Bradbury (https://www.blackgate.com/2015/06/11/one-shot-one-story-ray-bradbury/)
Black Gate – A Brief Tribute to the Stories of Ray Bradbury (https://www.blackgate.com/2012/06/07/a-brief-tribute-to-the-stories-of-ray-bradbury/)



GEORGE ORWELL (1903-1950)

Eric Arthur Blair, better known to the literary world as George Orwell, was one of the most prolific journalists of his age, a fierce critic of totalitarianism and an equally fierce advocate of democratic socialism. In addition to his literary criticism, he wrote poetry and novels about English life. He is best remembered today for two outstanding works: the first, Animal Farm, is an allegory of the rise of Stalinist Russia played out through animals who rebel against their owners but eventually becoming just as corrupt, and the second is probably the most famous dystopian novel in the English language, Nineteen Eighty-Four, in which a lonely citizen of a future English superstate enters into a forbidden relationship with a co-worker in an act of rebellion but runs afoul of the oppressive governing Party. His work has become so entrenched in popular culture that the term "Orwellian" is used to describe situations characterized by propaganda, surveillance, draconian control, and misinformation; other terms coined by author include "thoughtcrime", "doublespeak", and "2+2=5", among others.

Offsite resources:

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Orwell)
Encyclopedia of Fantasy (http://sf-encyclopedia.uk/fe.php?nm=orwell_george)
Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/orwell_george)
Encyclopedia Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Orwell)
The Guardian – Nothing but the Truth: The Legacy of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/19/legacy-george-orwell-nineteen-eighty-four)
Biography.com (https://www.biography.com/writer/george-orwell)
Mashable.com – Why Orwell's "1984" Is More Prophetic Than Ever in 2019 (https://mashable.com/article/1984-orwell-guide-future-generations/)
Mental Floss – 13 Surprising Facts About George Orwell (http://mentalfloss.com/article/546150/facts-about-george-orwell)



And so, another entry is finished. Next time, we take a look at what the 1950's wrought, as there are some who consider it the true Golden Age. Until then, you can discuss this set of authors both in the comments below and on the forum topic here: http://www.lostpathway.com/index.php/topic,221.0.html#forum