Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction and fantasy author.
Harry Harrison was Born in Stamford, Connecticut. Before starting a career as a writer, Harrison served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II.
But first, he began working in science fiction as an illustrator, particularly on two comic book series, Weird Fantasy, and Weird Science.
Harry Harrison debuted with Deathworld in 1960. The novel was the first in a trilogy of books that explored the adventures of a human named Jason dinAlt on a planet that was incredibly hostile to human life.
Deathworld was well-received by readers and critics alike, and it helped establish Harrison as a new voice in the science fiction genre.
Harry Harrison authored over 70 novels and numerous short stories, but Deathworld remains an important and influential work that helped launch his literary career.
Harrison's work featured a combination of humor and social commentary with fantasy themes. He was perhaps best known for his Stainless Steel Rat series (12 titles, from 1961), which followed the exploits of a charming thief in a futuristic society.
His novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966) became the basis for the Hollywood film Soylent Green (1973). This story explores the consequences of overpopulation and environmental degradation in a dystopian future in New York City.
Harry Harrison won several prestigious awards, including the Hugo and Nebula awards. He was also a co-founder of the World Science Fiction Convention and was involved in other organizations promoting sci-fi and fantasy literature.
He was also, with Brian W. Aldiss, co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Harrison lived in various locations throughout his life, including Mexico and Ireland, but eventually settled in the United Kingdom.
Harry Harrison passed away in Crowborough, East Sussex, England.
