H. G. Wells, born Herbert George Wells on September 21, 1866, in Bromley, Kent, England, remains one of the most influential figures in science fiction. Wells was a prolific writer and a foresighted social critic, whose works often contemplated the future with astonishing prescience. Besides his literary achievements, he engaged deeply with contemporary political and social issues, which often provided the substrata for his speculative fiction. Wells' career in literature began in the late 19th century when society was in the throes of the Industrial Revolution, and humankind grappled with rapid technological changes and social transformations. These themes frequently surfaced in his work and were vividly depicted in 'When The Sleeper Wakes' (1899), a novel that explores themes of dystopia, totalitarianism, and repressive societal structures through the lens of a character who awakes into a dramatically altered future after a sleep of two hundred years. The book points to Wells' recurring interest in time as a dimension of human experience and the unanticipated consequences of scientific invention. His flair for combining insightful social commentary with imaginative storytelling also appears in seminal works such as 'The Time Machine' (1895), 'The Invisible Man' (1897), and 'The War of the Worlds' (1898), which not only brought him fame as an author but also established standards for future works in the genre. Stylistically, Wells was known for his clear, concise prose and his ability to construct compelling, thought-provoking narratives. His enduring legacy as the 'father of science fiction' is evidenced by the continued popularity of his novels and their adaptations into various media. H. G. Wells passed away on August 13, 1946, but left behind a body of work that continues to fascinate and provoke reflection on the human condition and the potentialities of our technological age.
