Jules Verne

Jules Verne (Nantes, February 8, 1828 – Amiens, March 24, 1905), French writer, playwright and pioneer of science fiction. One of the most translated and influential writers of the 19th century, often called the father of science fiction.

The son of a lawyer, he studied law in Paris, but devoted himself to literature. He achieved his first successes with plays. In 1863, he published the novel Five Weeks in a Balloon, which began his collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel and the famous series Extraordinary Voyages (Voyages extraordinaires). Verne masterfully combined adventure, scientific discoveries of his time and imagination in his novels, anticipating many technical inventions (submarines, space flights, helicopters, electric cars, etc.).

He lived mainly in Amiens, was a passionate sailor and traveled throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. He was elected as a city councilor of Amiens (1888–1905).

Most famous works: Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), From the Earth to the Moon (1865), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), Around the World in 80 Days (1873), The Mysterious Island (1874), Michael Strogoff (1876), The Black Indies (1877), Robur the Conqueror (1886)

Verne wrote over 60 novels, dozens of stories and plays. His works are characterized by optimism towards science and technology, but also warnings against the abuse of progress. It has been translated into more than 140 languages ​​and has influenced generations of writers of SF, adventure literature, and the film industry. Today, it is considered a classic of world literature for young adults and adults.