Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988) was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer
[2]. Often called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was a pioneer of the hard science fiction subgenre
[2]. His work explored provocative situations, challenging conventional social mores and continues to influence the science fiction genre and modern culture
[2].
Life#
Robert Anson Heinlein was born in Butler, Missouri, on July 7, 1907
[1].
Birth, childhood, and early education#
Heinlein graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 17
[3]. Before entering the U.S. Naval Academy, he spent a year at the University of Missouri
[3].
Navy#
Heinlein graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, as the 20th best among 243 cadets
[3]. He served five years as a naval officer in the Pacific Ocean
[1][3]. In 1934, he was medically discharged from the Navy due to tuberculosis
[3][5].
Marriages#
Heinlein married Leslyn McDonald
[3]. In 1948, he married Virginia Gerstenfeld
[3].
California#
After his time in the Navy, Heinlein briefly studied physics at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
[5].
Author#
After being medically discharged from the Navy, Heinlein held various jobs, including silver mining in Colorado, working as a land agent, and writing political speeches
[3]. He also unsuccessfully ran for political office
[3]. Heinlein's writing career began after this series of jobs
[5]. His first story, "Lifeline," was initially intended for a magazine contest, but he sold it to "Astounding Stories" for $70, where it was published in August 1939
[3]. During World War II, Heinlein worked as a research engineer for the Navy in Philadelphia and wrote 25 novels and short stories
[3]. Heinlein wrote seven days a week for six months a year, and spent the other six months traveling or relaxing
[3].
Later life and death#
In the late 1960s, Heinlein's health declined, requiring several treatments
[3]. His health improved after a major operation in 1982
[3]. Robert A. Heinlein died on May 8, 1988, in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
[1][3].
Written works#
Heinlein was a prolific writer, with a career spanning 49 years
[4]. His bibliography includes 32 novels, 59 short stories, and 16 collections published during his lifetime
[4].
Early work, 1939–1958#
Heinlein's early work was characterized by a blend of slang, folk aphorisms, technical jargon, and apparent casualness
[5]. His stories focused on people rather than gadgets, conveying a sense of realism
[5]. Key themes included competent men of action involved in political, legal, and military processes
[5].
1959–1960#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Middle period work, 1961–1973#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Later work, 1980–1987#
His novel, "To Sail Beyond the Sunset," published in 1987, was his last
[3].
Posthumous publications#
Several collections, non-fiction books, and poems have been published posthumously
[4]. This includes three novels, one of which was co-written with Spider Robinson
[4].
Movies#
Heinlein wrote the screenplay for "Destination Moon" (1950)
[4]. His works have inspired four films and two TV series
[4].
Influences#
Heinlein was influenced by H.G. Wells, James Branch Cabell, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Rudyard Kipling
[2].
Views#
Heinlein's writings often expressed admiration for competence and emphasized the value of critical thinking
[2]. His plots posed provocative situations that challenged conventional social mores
[2].
Politics#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Race#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Individualism and self-determination#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
The Competent Man#
Heinlein's characters were often "competent men of action"
[5].
Sexuality and sexual politics#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Philosophy#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Pay it forward#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Influence and legacy#
Heinlein is considered one of the most important writers of American genre science fiction
[5]. His pre-eminence from 1940 to 1960 was earned through his narrative strategy and his presentation of the future as a place where people lived
[5].
Honorifics#
He is sometimes referred to as the "dean of science fiction writers"
[2].
Writing style#
Heinlein's writing style blended slang, folk aphorisms, technical jargon, and apparent casualness
[5].
Rules of writing#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Influence among writers#
Heinlein domesticated the future and became the father of the dominant US form of the genre
[5].
Words and phrases coined#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Inspiring culture and technology#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Heinlein Society#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
Honors#
(This section is empty in the source material. Additional sources are needed to provide content).
