Top 10 famous Visionary science-fiction writers

TEN VISIONARY SCIENCE-FICTION WRITERS

Saac Asimov 
1920–92
Wrote or edited more than 500 influential books
Most famous for writing the Foundation series, the russian author is often considered one of the ‘Big Three’ sci-fi writers, along with Heinlein and Clarke. His science-fiction short story Nightfall was voted the best of all time. a crater on Mars is named after Asimov – the highest accolade for a sci-fi writer?


Phillip K dick 
1928–82
Wrote novels inspiring blade runner and total recall
As well as publishing 44 novels, dick also write around 120 short stories. the american author’s works have inspired a string of hit films including blade runner, total recall and Minority Report.


Harlan Ellison
1934–present
Multi award-winning author and editor
this American writer has published more than 1700 short stories, novellas and essays, as well as many film and tV scripts including muchlauded star trek episodes. He’s the only three-time winner of the nebula Award for Best short story.


Frank Herbert
1920–86
Writer of the Dune saga
Herbert used many of his novels to explore and combat complex ideas based around philosophy, leadership and religion, and his work attracted a fanatical fan base. Dune became a major film directed by David lynch.


Sir Arthur C Clarke
1917–2008
Co-writer of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey
As well as earning a number of awards for his writing, the British author – who spent most of his later years in Sri Lanka – was something of a prophet, predicting that computers would be used for online shopping and banking.


Robert A Heinlein
1907–88
First Science Fiction Writers Grand Master
Beginning his career as a magazine writer, this American author went on to pen four overlapping series, including the Future history books. His novels explore a range of themes including sex, race, politics and the military – often sparking important debates on these topics.


Ee ‘Doc’ Smith
1890–1965
Best known for the lensman and Skylark series
This American author is sometimes known as the ‘first nova’ of 20th-Century science fiction. He was particularly popular with scientists, engineers and military men – possibly because a common theme in his novels was the difficulty of maintaining military secrecy.


Ray Bradbury
1920–2012
created visions of a dystopian future
one of the most celebrated american writers, many of Bradbury’s stories were adapted for other media – most famously, Fahrenheit 451, envisaging a future state that burns books. Between 1985 and 1992, he also presented the ray bradbury theatre television show, for which he adapted 65 of his own stories.


Jack Williamson
1908–2006
Wrote the Legion of Space series
Williamson was only the second named Grand Master of Science Fiction, from the Science Fiction Writers of America. The eastern New Mexico University library is home to the Jack Williamson Science Fiction Library.


Frederik Pohl 
1919–2013
Author with a career spanning 75 years
This American writer’s first published work was a short story produced in 1937; his last novel was printed in 2011. Pohl was awarded the damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award by the Science Fiction Writers of america in 1993.