with themes of evolution. In 1937, five years post-publication of this seminal work, Huxley moved to Los Angeles, California, where he delved into mystical writings until his passing on November 22, 1963, in Hollywood, California. Remarkably, his death coincided with those of fellow British luminary C. S. Lewis and the tragic assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

C. S. Lewis (1898–1963)

Clive Staples Lewis, fondly known to readers as C. S. Lewis, was born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland. Once a skeptical atheist during his youth, Lewis gradually rekindled his Christian faith, which profoundly influenced his literary creations. After completing his studies at Oxford University, he dedicated nearly thirty years to teaching English literature at the institution.

During his academic tenure, Lewis co-founded the Inklings, a casual literary group that included notable figures like J. R. R. Tolkien, where members critiqued each other’s works. While Lewis penned works of nonfiction, science fiction, and fantasy, his enduring legacy lies in his fantastical narratives. His beloved children’s series, "The Chronicles of Narnia," weaves Christian allegory into fantasy, enchanting generations of young readers. Lewis's life came to an end on November 22, 1963, in Oxford, England, sharing his final day with both Huxley and President Kennedy.

Mary Shelley (1797–1851)

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, born on August 30, 1797, in the bustling city of London, England, was the offspring of literary titans William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. Her early years were marked by instability, following her mother's death shortly after her birth and her father's remarriage, leading to a chaotic household blended with step-siblings and offspring from previous relationships.

At the tender age of fifteen, Mary met the enigmatic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, a friend of her father’s, and the two soon embarked on a romantic adventure. Defying conventions, they fled to Europe when Mary was just seventeen, during which time she penned Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus, a groundbreaking novel hailed as the first true work of science fiction. After the tragic demise of Percy’s wife, the couple wed, but their union was cut short when Percy drowned four years after the publication of Frankenstein. Mary Shelley lived as a widow for nearly thirty more years, passing away from a brain tumor on February 1, 1851, in London.

J. R. R. Tolkien (1892–1973)

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, the literary architect famously known as J. R. R. Tolkien, entered the world on January 3, 1892, in the sunlit landscapes of Bloemfontein, South Africa. At the tender age of four, his journey took him across continents to the misty shores of England. After gracing the halls of Oxford University, Tolkien embarked on a career as an educator of English language and literature, holding positions first at Leeds and later returning to Oxford. During these years, in collaboration with like-minded souls such as C. S. Lewis, he established the Inklings—a gathering of creative spirits who convened to share and critique their literary endeavors. Tolkien's lifelong enchantment with language and mythos inspired the creation of Middle-Earth, a fantastical realm steeped in the lore of ancient northern traditions. This legendary world first came alive in his novel The Hobbit, setting the stage for the epic saga of “The Lord of the Rings.” Through these timeless works, Tolkien is venerated as the patriarch of contemporary Fantasy literature. His life’s chapter concluded on September 2, 1973, in Bournemouth, England, following complications from an ulcer and chest infection.

Jules Verne (1828–1905)

Jules Verne, a visionary of adventure, made his entrance on February 8, 1828, in the vibrant city of Nantes, France. At the age of twenty, he ventured to Paris, with aspirations of a legal career at his father's law firm. Despite achieving his law credentials, Verne spent years in the Parisian whirlpool, striving to carve out a niche as a writer. It wasn't until 1863, after dabbling in theater as a secretary and pursuing a stint as a stockbroker, that his literary talents captured the attention of Jules Hetzel, a publisher who serialized Verne’s novels. Among his most renowned works are his “Extraordinary Journeys,” including the celebrated Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer of modern Science Fiction alongside H. G. Wells. Verne continued to wield his pen until his final breath on March 24, 1905, in Amiens, France.

Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (1922–)

Kurt Vonnegut Jr., a master of satirical prose, was born on November 11, 1922, amidst the bustling backdrop of Indianapolis, Indiana. His wartime service in the United States Army took him to the heart of Germany during World War II, where his capture by German forces led to a harrowing imprisonment in Dresden. There, he endured the catastrophic Allied bombing on February 13, 1945, emerging as one of the few who survived the inferno that claimed over 120,000 lives. This profound experience not only earned him a Purple Heart but also fueled the narrative fire of his fiction. War and its complexities thread through many of Vonnegut’s early works, but it was with the publication of Slaughterhouse Five: or, the Children’s Crusade that he fully unveiled his Dresden ordeal through literary characters. Today, Vonnegut resides and writes in the vibrant tapestry of New York City.

H. G. Wells (1866–1946)

Herbert George Wells, iconically hailed as H. G. Wells, was born on September 21, 1866, in Bromley, England. His academic journey was marked by a scholarship to the Normal School of Science in London, where he studied under the renowned T. H. Huxley, a stalwart defender of Darwin’s evolutionary theories and the grandfather of Aldous Huxley, a future Science Fiction luminary. Initially captivated by Huxley’s teachings, Wells soon found himself immersed in extracurricular pursuits, notably founding and editing a college magazine. It was in this publication that "The Chronic Argonauts" first appeared, later evolving into The Time Machine: An Invention, which contemplated potential human evolution. This innovative tale, alongside Wells’s early novels, played a pivotal role in shaping what he termed "scientific romance," cementing his status as a foundational figure in modern Science Fiction, alongside Verne. Wells’s illustrious life came to a close on August 13, 1946, in the heart of London.