Olaf Stapledon

Olaf Stapledon (1886-1950) was a British philosopher, futurist, and writer whose work transformed the possibilities of science fiction. Trained in philosophy and deeply influenced by ethics, metaphysics, and social theory, Stapledon used speculative fiction to explore humanity's long-term destiny on a cosmic scale.His books - especially Last and First Men and Star Maker - are considered among the most ambitious works ever written in the genre, bridging literature, philosophy, and science into a single visionary form. Today, Stapledon is recognized as a key influence on writers from Arthur C. Clarke to Jorge Luis Borges, and as a pioneer of truly cosmic science fiction.