Sure, he was born on September 21, 1886, but he was way ahead of his time
H.G. Wells has been considered to be the "Father of Futurism" or the "Father of Science Fiction" and his written work is still popular to this day.
Sure, he was born on September 21, 1886, but he was way ahead of his time.
His books have been turned into blockbuster films, such as The Time Machine, War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, and The Island of Dr. Moreau, but do you know much about the author himself? I surely didn't and that's why I compiled this list of interesting facts.
1. The Time Machine was an instant success — an “overnight literary sensation.”
2. Wells was a Socialist and wrote his views in the book Outline of History.
3. He revisited the theme of "class conflict" in other books after he wrote The Time Machine.
4. Wells was a speedy writer! He published The Island of Doctor Moreau in 1896, The Invisible Man in 1897, and The War of the Worlds in 1898. At one point, he averaged three books a year.
5. In 1938, Orson Wells broadcasted The War of the Worlds on the radio claiming aliens landed in New Jersey and caused a massive panic. Back then, people were used to only hearing true events and news stories on the radio.
6 . During his time as a book reviewer for the Saturday Review, Wells endorsed James Joyce and Joseph Conrad.
7. He published a non-fiction book of his predictions called Anticipations in which he forecasted economic globalization, the rise of cities and suburbs, and remarkably accurate predictions of military conflicts.
8. The three-volume The Outline of History, published in 1920 was Wells’ best selling work during his lifetime.
9. Being an internationally famous author helped Wells meet some important figures during his lifetime. In 1920, he met Lenin and Trotsky when he was in Russia, and a decade later he talked with Stalin and FDR.
10. Wells did not let marriage get in the way of having other relationships. He had numerous affairs, some of which bared children and lived apart from his wife.
If you've never read anything by H.G. Wells and would rather watch his stories, check out the list of some of the best movies and shows inspired by his work.
By Matthew Sterner.
