H.G. Wells

H.G. Wells Biography

Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946) was an English writer, historian, and futurist often celebrated as the father of science fiction. Born in Bromley, Kent, he trained as a science teacher before embarking on a literary career that made him one of the most influential authors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries 

Wells wrote over fifty novels and numerous short stories, along with historical works, political commentary, biography, satire, and popular science. His pioneering science fiction novels include The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, and The Island of Doctor Moreau. He explored themes of time travel, alien invasion, and human identity 

He also held strong social and political views, advocating socialism and world governance. His worldview evolved post-WWI, expressing both technological optimism and disillusionment with modern society 

Trivia About H. G. Wells

• Wells sustained internal injuries playing football while teaching in Wales as a young man 
• He was a groundbreaking futurist and social critic, even publishing non-fiction works on politics, history, and science 
• His BBC broadcasts from Germany during WWII provoked controversy though he was later knighted for his literary achievements 

Famous Quotes by H. G. Wells

• "I seek, in fiction, to advance ideas and naturally I repeat the ideas in which I believe."
• "Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Wells called the father of science fiction?

Wells pioneered major science-fiction themes—time travel, alien invasion, biological horror—establishing the genre's conventions 

What were his major non-fiction works?

He published influential books on history, politics, and science, and was actively involved in socialist and world‑government movements 

Critical Reception & Influence

Critics widely praise Wells for his visionary imagination, social insight, and storytelling innovation. His speculative ideas significantly shaped 20th‑century science-fiction literature and film 

Why This Author Still Matters

Wells' explorations of science, society, and human nature continue to influence writers, filmmakers, and futurists worldwide 

Related Literary Movements

Wells belongs to early science-fiction and speculative literature, intersecting with Edwardian social realism and early futurism 

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