Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 - 13 August 1946)[1] was an English author, best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary. Together with Jules Verne, Wells has been referred to as The Father of Science Fiction .[2] Wells was an outspoken socialist and sympathetic to pacifist views, although he supported the First World War once it was under way, and his later works became increasingly political and didactic. His middle period novels (1900-1920) were less science-fictional; they covered lower-middle class life (The History of Mr Polly) and the 'New Woman' and the Suffragettes (Ann Veronica). INTRODUCER BIOGRAPHY: Dame Margaret Drabble is the award-winning author of seventeen novels including The Needle's Eye and The Witch of Exmoor-, as well as numerous works of criticism and biography.