Introduction


H. G. Wells

It is almost impossible to overstate the influence Herbert George (H. G.) Wells had on the emerging field of science fiction. Trained in science and as a teacher, Wells was also intensely political: he was a socialist, a radical, and a supporter of a planned world state. In his fiction, Wells often combined his pedagogical tendencies with his political concerns, but that in no way affected the creativity and high literary value of his sci-fi writing. Among his genre-defining works are a time travel novel (The Time Machine), a riveting classic about interplanetary warfare (War of the Worlds), and some genuinely creepy novels exploring the social implications of scientific exploration (The Invisible Man and The Island of Doctor Moreau).

Essential Facts

  1. Wells is a sufficiently intriguing and romantic figure that he has appeared as a character in other people’s stories many times. He’s popped up in episodes of Lois and Clarke and Dr. Who, and he also provided the model for a character in C. S. Lewis’ novel That Hideous Strength. If you look closely enough, you can even see his picture in one scene from the 2002 film version of The Time Machine.
  2. Speaking of romantic figures, Wells was married twice and had numerous affairs throughout his life.
  3. In 1938, Orson Welles directed a radio adaptation of Wells’ The War of the Worlds. Many listeners took the broadcast as factual and thought Earth had actually been invaded by Martians.
  4. In The Time Machine, Wells suggested that classes might actually evolve into different races. The working class became the Morlocks, a name that has been used in comic books (in Marvel’s X-Men series) and music (there’s a garage-punk band called The Morlocks).
  5. Wells had no doubts about his talent, his intelligence, and his legacy. Here’s what he thought his epitaph would have to be: “I told you so. You damned fools.” (The italics, by the way, were Orwell’s.)
 

Recommended Resources

  1. H. G. Wells - Notable British Novelists
  2. Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature Study Guide (eNotes)
  3. The Time Machine Study Guide (eNotes)
  4. The War of the Worlds Lesson Plan
  5. The War of the Worlds Study Guide (eNotes)

All Resources

Display as: Categories, List
  1. Anti-Americanism Criticism | H. G. Wells (essay Date 1906)
  2. Arthur Morrison Criticism | H. G. Wells (essay Date 1896)
  3. Fabian Society Is Founded: Salem on History
  4. Frank (Arthur) Swinnerton Criticism | H. G. Wells
  5. H. G. Wells - Notable British Novelists
  6. H. G. Wells Biography
  7. H. G. Wells Criticism
  8. H. G. Wells The Time Machine Criticism
  9. Kipps Character Analysis
  10. Kipps Summary - H. G. Wells
  11. Mr. Britling Sees It Through Summary - H. G. Wells
  12. Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature Study Guide (eNotes)
  13. The Country of the Blind Summary - H. G. Wells
  14. The Door in the Wall Study Guide (eNotes)
  15. The First Men in the Moon Review - H. G. Wells
  16. The History of Mr. Polly Summary - H. G. Wells
  17. The Invisible Man Character Analysis
  18. The Invisible Man Lesson Plan
  19. The Invisible Man Review - H. G. Wells
  20. The Invisible Man Review - H. G. Wells
  21. The Invisible Man Study Guide (quickNotes)
  22. The Invisible Man Summary - H. G. Wells
  23. The Island of Dr. Moreau Lesson Plan
  24. The Island of Dr. Moreau Review - H. G. Wells
  25. The Man Who Could Work Miracles Summary - H. G. Wells
  26. The Time Machine Character Analysis
  27. The Time Machine Lesson Plan
  28. The Time Machine Review - H. G. Wells
  29. The Time Machine Review - H. G. Wells
  30. The Time Machine Review - H. G. Wells
  31. The Time Machine Study Guide (eNotes)
  32. The Time Machine Summary - H. G. Wells
  33. The War of the Worlds Character Analysis
  34. The War of the Worlds Lesson Plan
  35. The War of the Worlds Review - H. G. Wells
  36. The War of the Worlds Review - H. G. Wells
  37. The War of the Worlds Review - H. G. Wells
  38. The War of the Worlds Study Guide (eNotes)
  39. The War of the Worlds Summary - H. G. Wells
  40. Things to Come: Videohound Movie Retriever
  41. Tono-Bungay Character Analysis
  42. Tono-Bungay Review - H. G. Wells
  43. Tono-Bungay Summary - H. G. Wells
  44. Wells, H. G.: The Oxford Companion to English Literature