Author of Starship Troopers, 31 other novels, and 59 short stories, Heinlein (1907-1988) is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of speculative fiction. For many years a Navy officer with an engineering degree from Annapolis, Heinlein dabbled in politics and other careers before settling on writing. His works have made seminal contributions to “social science fiction,” which considers how societies might respond to technological advances, and to “hard sci-fi,” which prizes scientific accuracy. His use of indirect exposition—presenting unusual cultures and technologies casually in dialog and scene description—has influenced generations of writers.

Heinlein’s books are known for colorful dialog, imaginative future worlds, and competent central characters who believe strongly in sexual and racial equality. Many of his later works feature highly capable women as the main heroes. His characters sometimes can be brusquely militant about the loyal defense of home and hearth, community and nation. Often reviled for his support of a powerful military, as proposed in Starship Troopers, Heinlein also was adored by the 1960s counterculture, who regarded his book Stranger in a Strange Land, with its advocacy of New Age spirituality and open sexual relationships, as a bible.

Heinlein holds the record for the most Hugo awards with six, including two bestowed posthumously.