Stephen Baxter (author): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|British science-fiction author (born 1957)}} | {{Short description|British science-fiction author (born 1957)}} | ||
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| caption = Baxter at the [[63rd World Science Fiction Convention]], 2005 | | caption = Baxter at the [[63rd World Science Fiction Convention]], 2005 | ||
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| birth_place = [[Liverpool]], England | | birth_place = [[Liverpool]], England | ||
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'''Stephen Baxter''' (born | '''Stephen Baxter''' (born 1957) is an English [[hard science fiction]] author. He has degrees in [[mathematics]] and [[engineering]]. | ||
== | ==Early life and education== | ||
Stephen Baxter was born in [[Liverpool]], England, in 1957.<ref name=ownbio>{{cite web | title=Biography | website=Stephen Baxter | date=17 October 2024 | url=https://www.stephen-baxter.com/author.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250910124729/https://www.stephen-baxter.com/author.html | archive-date=10 September 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=8 October 2025}}</ref> | |||
Baxter's "[[Future history|Future History]]"<ref>{{cite book| last=Baxter | first= Stephen | | He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics at [[University of Cambridge]], and went on to obtain a doctorate in engineering at [[University of Southampton]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/clive-barker-returns-heres-eight-9289121 |title = As Clive Barker returns here's eight other Merseyside sci fi, fantasy and horror writers who have thrilled readers worldwide|date = 19 May 2015|quote=Liverpool-born Baxter is a trained engineer with degrees from Cambridge (mathematics) and Southampton Universities (doctorate in aeroengineering research).}}</ref> He later received an MBA from [[Henley Business School|Henley Management College]]. | ||
==Career== | |||
Baxter taught maths, physics, and information technology before becoming a full-time author in 1995. | |||
=== Writing === | |||
Strongly influenced by science fiction pioneer [[H. G. Wells]], Baxter has been vice-president of the international [[H. G. Wells Society]] since 2006. His fiction falls into three main categories of original work plus a fourth category, extending other authors' writing; each has a different basis, style, and tone.{{who says|date=October 2025}}{{cn|date=October 2024}} | |||
Baxter's "[[Future history|Future History]]"<ref>{{cite book| last=Baxter | first= Stephen | chapter= Foreword | title= [[Vacuum Diagrams]] }}</ref> mode is based on research into [[hard science fiction|hard science]]. It encompasses the ''[[Xeelee Sequence]]'', which consists of nine novels (including the ''[[Destiny's Children]]'' trilogy and Vengeance/Redemption duology that is set in alternate timeline), plus three volumes collecting the 52 short pieces (short stories and novellas) in the series, all of which fit into a single timeline stretching from [[the Big Bang]] singularity of the past to his ''[[Timelike Infinity]]'' (1993) singularity of the future.<ref name= "xeelee_timeline">{{cite web | |||
| url = http://www.stephen-baxter.com/articles.html#xeelee | | url = http://www.stephen-baxter.com/articles.html#xeelee | ||
| title = The Xeelee Sequence – Timeline | | title = The Xeelee Sequence – Timeline | ||
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[[Image:Baxter Stephen.jpg|left|thumb|Stephen Baxter at the [[Science-Fiction-Tage NRW]] in [[Dortmund]], Germany, March 1997]] | [[Image:Baxter Stephen.jpg|left|thumb|Stephen Baxter at the [[Science-Fiction-Tage NRW]] in [[Dortmund]], Germany, March 1997]] | ||
A second category in Baxter's work is based on readings in evolutionary biology and human/animal behaviour. Elements of this appear in his future histories (especially later works like the ''Destiny's Children'' series and ''Flood''/''Ark''), but here it is the focus. The major work in this category is ''[[Evolution (Baxter novel)|Evolution]]'', which imagines the evolution of humanity in the Earth's past and future. ''[[The Mammoth Trilogy]]'', written for young adults, shares similar themes and concerns as it explores the present, past, and future of a small herd of [[mammoth]]s found surviving on an island in the [[Arctic Ocean]]. | A second category in Baxter's work is based on readings in evolutionary biology and human/animal behaviour.{{cn|date=October 2024}} Elements of this appear in his future histories (especially later works like the ''Destiny's Children'' series and ''Flood''/''Ark''), but here it is the focus. The major work in this category is ''[[Evolution (Baxter novel)|Evolution]]'', which imagines the evolution of humanity in the Earth's past and future. ''[[The Mammoth Trilogy]]'', written for young adults, shares similar themes and concerns as it explores the present, past, and future of a small herd of [[mammoth]]s found surviving on an island in the [[Arctic Ocean]].{{cn|date=October 2024}} | ||
A third category of Baxter's fiction is [[ | A third category of Baxter's fiction is [[alternative history]], based on research into history. These stories are more human, with characters portrayed with greater depth and care. This includes his ''[[NASA Trilogy]]'', which incorporates research into [[NASA]] and its history; and the ''Time's Tapestry'' series, which features science-fictional interventions into our past from an alternative-history future. The novel ''[[Anti-Ice]]'' is an earlier example of Baxter's blending of alternate history with science fiction. A more recent work in this direction is the ''[[Northland Trilogy]]'', an alternate prehistory that begins with ''[[Stone Spring]]'', set ten thousand years ago in the [[Stone Age]], followed by ''[[Bronze Summer]]'' and ''[[Iron Winter (novel)|Iron Winter]]'', set in alternative versions of the [[Bronze Age]] and the [[Iron Age]]. In 2009, Baxter became a judge for the [[Sidewise Award for Alternate History]], the first former winner among the panel.<ref name= "judges">{{Cite web | title = Index of Jurors | website= Locusmag.com | year=2010 | url = http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Judge2.html#334 | access-date = 5 February 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100208114047/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Judge2.html#334 | archive-date = 8 February 2010 }}</ref> | ||
Another category, outside of the main body of Baxter's independent work, is sequels and | Another category, outside of the main body of Baxter's independent work, is sequels and instalments of science-fiction classics. His first novel to achieve wide recognition (winning three literary awards) was ''[[The Time Ships]]'', an authorised sequel to H. G. Wells' ''[[The Time Machine]]''.{{cn|date=October 2024}} The [[A Time Odyssey|''Time Odyssey'']] series, a trilogy co-authored with [[Arthur C. Clarke]], is connected to Clarke's four ''[[Space Odyssey]]'' novels. The trilogy consists of ''[[Time's Eye (novel)|Time's Eye]]'', ''[[Sunstorm (novel)|Sunstorm]]'', and ''[[Firstborn (Clarke and Baxter novel)|Firstborn]]''. Another novel is based on a synopsis written by Clarke, ''[[The Light of Other Days]]''. Baxter has also published a [[Doctor Who]] novel, ''[[The Wheel of Ice]]''. ''[[The Massacre of Mankind]]'' is an authorised sequel to H. G. Wells' ''[[The War of the Worlds]]''.{{cn|date=October 2024}} | ||
In 2010, Baxter began working on a new series with [[Terry Pratchett]].<ref name="longearth">{{Cite web | title = The Long Earth| website= sfx.co.uk | year = 2010 | url = http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/06/16/terry-pratchett-and-stephen-baxter-collaborating-on-the-long-earth/ | access-date = 16 June 2010}}</ref> This collaboration produced five books, ''[[The Long Earth]]'', ''[[The Long War (novel)|The Long War]]'', ''[[The Long Mars]]'', ''[[The Long Utopia]]'' and ''[[The Long Cosmos]]''. | In 2010, Baxter began working on a new series with [[Terry Pratchett]].<ref name="longearth">{{Cite web | title = The Long Earth| website= sfx.co.uk | year = 2010 | url = http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/06/16/terry-pratchett-and-stephen-baxter-collaborating-on-the-long-earth/ | access-date = 16 June 2010}}</ref> This collaboration produced five books, ''[[The Long Earth]]'', ''[[The Long War (novel)|The Long War]]'', ''[[The Long Mars]]'', ''[[The Long Utopia]]'' and ''[[The Long Cosmos]]''. | ||
Baxter has written non-fiction essays and columns for such publications as ''[[Critical Wave]]'' and the British SF Association's ''Matrix''. | Baxter has written non-fiction essays and columns for such publications as ''[[Critical Wave]]'' and the British SF Association's ''Matrix''.{{cn|date=October 2024}} | ||
==Other activities== | |||
Baxter is a [[Chartered Engineer (UK)|chartered engineer]] and fellow of the [[British Interplanetary Society]].<ref name=ownbio/> | |||
==Literary awards== | ==Literary awards== | ||
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Baxter's story "[[Last Contact]]" was nominated for the 2008 [[Hugo Award]] for best short story. | Baxter's story "[[Last Contact]]" was nominated for the 2008 [[Hugo Award]] for best short story.{{cn|date=October 2025}} | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
Latest revision as of 05:08, 9 October 2025
Template:Short description Template:Refimprove blp Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main other
Stephen Baxter (born 1957) is an English hard science fiction author. He has degrees in mathematics and engineering.
Early life and education
Stephen Baxter was born in Liverpool, England, in 1957.[1]
He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics at University of Cambridge, and went on to obtain a doctorate in engineering at University of Southampton.[2] He later received an MBA from Henley Management College.
Career
Baxter taught maths, physics, and information technology before becoming a full-time author in 1995.
Writing
Strongly influenced by science fiction pioneer H. G. Wells, Baxter has been vice-president of the international H. G. Wells Society since 2006. His fiction falls into three main categories of original work plus a fourth category, extending other authors' writing; each has a different basis, style, and tone.Template:Who saysScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
Baxter's "Future History"[3] mode is based on research into hard science. It encompasses the Xeelee Sequence, which consists of nine novels (including the Destiny's Children trilogy and Vengeance/Redemption duology that is set in alternate timeline), plus three volumes collecting the 52 short pieces (short stories and novellas) in the series, all of which fit into a single timeline stretching from the Big Bang singularity of the past to his Timelike Infinity (1993) singularity of the future.[4] These stories begin in the present day and end when the Milky Way galaxy collides with Andromeda five billion years in the future.[4] The central narrative is that of humanity rising and evolving to become the second most powerful race in the universe, next to the god-like Xeelee. Character development tends to be secondary to the depiction of advanced theories and ideas, such as the true nature of the Great Attractor, naked singularities and the great battle between baryonic and dark matter lifeforms. The Manifold Trilogy is another example of Baxter's future history mode, even more conceptual than the Xeelee sequence. Each novel is focused on a potential explanation of the Fermi paradox. The two-part disaster series Flood and Ark (followed by three additional stories, "Earth III," "Earth II," and "Earth I") which also fits into this category, where catastrophic events unfold in the near future and humanity must adapt to survive in three radically different planetary environments. In 2013, Baxter released his short story collection Universes which featured stories set in Flood/Ark, Jones & Bennet and Anti-Ice universes.[5] Baxter signed a contract for two new books, Proxima and Ultima, both of which are names of planets, and they were released in 2013 and 2014, respectively.[6]
A second category in Baxter's work is based on readings in evolutionary biology and human/animal behaviour.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Elements of this appear in his future histories (especially later works like the Destiny's Children series and Flood/Ark), but here it is the focus. The major work in this category is Evolution, which imagines the evolution of humanity in the Earth's past and future. The Mammoth Trilogy, written for young adults, shares similar themes and concerns as it explores the present, past, and future of a small herd of mammoths found surviving on an island in the Arctic Ocean.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
A third category of Baxter's fiction is alternative history, based on research into history. These stories are more human, with characters portrayed with greater depth and care. This includes his NASA Trilogy, which incorporates research into NASA and its history; and the Time's Tapestry series, which features science-fictional interventions into our past from an alternative-history future. The novel Anti-Ice is an earlier example of Baxter's blending of alternate history with science fiction. A more recent work in this direction is the Northland Trilogy, an alternate prehistory that begins with Stone Spring, set ten thousand years ago in the Stone Age, followed by Bronze Summer and Iron Winter, set in alternative versions of the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. In 2009, Baxter became a judge for the Sidewise Award for Alternate History, the first former winner among the panel.[7]
Another category, outside of the main body of Baxter's independent work, is sequels and instalments of science-fiction classics. His first novel to achieve wide recognition (winning three literary awards) was The Time Ships, an authorised sequel to H. G. Wells' The Time Machine.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The Time Odyssey series, a trilogy co-authored with Arthur C. Clarke, is connected to Clarke's four Space Odyssey novels. The trilogy consists of Time's Eye, Sunstorm, and Firstborn. Another novel is based on a synopsis written by Clarke, The Light of Other Days. Baxter has also published a Doctor Who novel, The Wheel of Ice. The Massacre of Mankind is an authorised sequel to H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In 2010, Baxter began working on a new series with Terry Pratchett.[8] This collaboration produced five books, The Long Earth, The Long War, The Long Mars, The Long Utopia and The Long Cosmos.
Baxter has written non-fiction essays and columns for such publications as Critical Wave and the British SF Association's Matrix.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Other activities
Baxter is a chartered engineer and fellow of the British Interplanetary Society.[1]
Literary awards
Baxter's story "Last Contact" was nominated for the 2008 Hugo Award for best short story.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Bibliography
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References
External links
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- 1957 births
- 20th-century English novelists
- 21st-century British novelists
- 21st-century English novelists
- Alumni of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
- Alumni of the University of Reading
- Alumni of the University of Southampton
- British alternative history writers
- British male short story writers
- British science fiction writers
- English male novelists
- English male short story writers
- English science fiction writers
- English short story writers
- Living people
- Schoolteachers from Merseyside
- Sidewise Award winners
- Writers from Liverpool