HERBERT GEORGE "H. G." WELLS (1866–1946) was an English writer, best known for his work in science fiction. Often called "The Father of Science Fiction" along with Jules Verne, many of his visions of the future have already become reality, including genetic engineering (Island of Dr. Moreau), laser rays (The War of the Worlds), nuclear weapons/atomic bombs ((The World Set Free), tank warfare (The Land Ironclads), wireless personal communications/cell phones, (The Shape of Things To Come) email and voice mail (Men Like Gods) and the moon landing (First Men on the Moon). Living until 1946, Wells witnessed a world more terrible than any of his imaginative visions, bitterly observing: "Reality has taken a leaf from my book and set itself to supersede me."

J.D. BERESFORD (1873–1947) was an English writer, best known for his science fiction, horror and ghost stories. Beresford was an admirer of H.G. Wells, and wrote the first critical study of Wells that gives the reader valuable insights on everything from The War of the Worlds to The Time Machine to The Invisible Man to Socialism, Feminism, and Politics in a remarkable piece of scholarship.