Gernsback, Hugo
1884-1967
born in Luxembourg where he received a technical education
emigrated to the United States in 1904

In some respects Gernsback can be called the Father of Science Fiction:

• coined the term "science fiction" when his own preferred term "scientification" was ignored.
• He sponsored the SF League, one of the first fan organizations.
• launched Amazing Stories (April 1926), the first magazine devoted completely to science fiction.

As testimony to his influence, the annual Hugo Awards voted by fans are named after Gernsback.

Key Work: Ralph 124C41+: A Romance of the Year 2660, a gadget tale very badly written, but considered the first pure science fiction novel.

Gibson, William

Key Work: Neuromancer (1984), considered to be the first cyberpunk novel; winner of both the Hugo and the Nebula.

Gilman, Charlotte Perkins

Key Work: Herland (magazine publication, 1915; book 1979), about an island inhabited by a race of parthenogenic (i.e., able to reproduce by themselves) females

Godwin, Tom
1915-1980

Known principally for the short story "The Cold Equations" (1954)

Golding, William

Key Work: Lord of the Flies (1955)