Robert A. Heinlein: Difference between revisions
imported>Larry Sanger No edit summary |
imported>Hayford Peirce (some rewriting; some additional info; I'll find the great assessment from Locus that "In 1940, when Heinlein began to publish, it was as it an adult had finally walked into a room of unruly children.") |
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'''Robert Anson Heinlein''' (July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was an [[United States of America|American]] [[author]], [[engineer]], and [[officer (armed forces)|naval officer]]. He is primarily known as an author of [[science fiction]]. His best-known works include ''[[Starship Troopers]]'' (1959), ''[[Stranger in a Strange Land]]'' (1961), and ''[[The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress]]'' (1966). Additionally, he wrote [[fantasy fiction]] and some non-fiction. | '''Robert Anson Heinlein''' (July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was an [[United States of America|American]] [[author]], [[engineer]], and [[officer (armed forces)|naval officer]]. He is primarily known as an author of [[science fiction]]. His best-known works include ''[[Starship Troopers]]'' (1959), ''[[Stranger in a Strange Land]]'' (1961), and ''[[The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress]]'' (1966). Additionally, he wrote a little [[fantasy fiction]] and some non-fiction. Within a few years of his debut in 1939, he was clearly the most influential writer the field has ever known; he established norms of writing science fiction, particularly in his unrivaled talent for incorporating scientific speculation into the narrative structure by unobstructive means, that have since been emulated with varying degrees of success by nearly every science-fiction writer. He was quickly recognized by his peers as being unparalleled: he won numerous [[Hugo Award|Hugos]] for the best novel of the year; was the guest of honor at several [[World Science Fiction Convention|World Science Fiction Conventions]], and received the first [[Grand Master Award]] given by the [[Science Fiction Writers of America]]. | ||
Educated at the [[United States Naval Academy]], | Educated at the [[United States Naval Academy]], Heinlein hoped to be a career officer; he was discharged, against his will, for medical reasons in 1934. | ||
His work's dominant themes are the importance of [[freedom]] and [[creativity]], with many of his protagonists rising from obscurity through their own wits, or battling for freedom against [[collectivism|collective entities]]. His work also often reflects such [[martial virtue|martial virtues]] as [[patriotism]] and [[loyalty]]. As a result, he | His work's dominant themes are the importance of [[freedom]] and [[creativity]], with many of his protagonists rising from obscurity through their own wits, or battling for freedom against [[collectivism|collective entities]]. His work also often reflects such [[martial virtue|martial virtues]] as [[patriotism]] and [[loyalty]]. As a result, he is high on the list of authors favored by [[libertarianism|libertarians]]. | ||
Revision as of 22:53, 5 March 2008
Robert Anson Heinlein (July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was an American author, engineer, and naval officer. He is primarily known as an author of science fiction. His best-known works include Starship Troopers (1959), Stranger in a Strange Land (1961), and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (1966). Additionally, he wrote a little fantasy fiction and some non-fiction. Within a few years of his debut in 1939, he was clearly the most influential writer the field has ever known; he established norms of writing science fiction, particularly in his unrivaled talent for incorporating scientific speculation into the narrative structure by unobstructive means, that have since been emulated with varying degrees of success by nearly every science-fiction writer. He was quickly recognized by his peers as being unparalleled: he won numerous Hugos for the best novel of the year; was the guest of honor at several World Science Fiction Conventions, and received the first Grand Master Award given by the Science Fiction Writers of America.
Educated at the United States Naval Academy, Heinlein hoped to be a career officer; he was discharged, against his will, for medical reasons in 1934.
His work's dominant themes are the importance of freedom and creativity, with many of his protagonists rising from obscurity through their own wits, or battling for freedom against collective entities. His work also often reflects such martial virtues as patriotism and loyalty. As a result, he is high on the list of authors favored by libertarians.