Harry Harrison

Born Henry Maxwell Dempsey in Stamford, Connecticut, on March 12, 1925, he became one of science fiction’s most entertaining voices under the name Harry Harrison. Before focusing on fiction, he worked in comics and illustration, and his sharp visual sense carried over into stories known for their speed, humor, and clear storytelling.

He is best remembered for the Stainless Steel Rat series, built around a charming interstellar criminal, and for Make Room! Make Room!, a darker novel about overcrowding and social strain. Across his work, he often mixed satire, adventure, and a skeptical view of war and authority, giving even his funniest books an edge.

Harrison spent much of his life outside the United States and remained an active, well-loved figure in the science fiction world for decades. He died on August 15, 2012, at age 87, leaving behind a body of work that is still prized for being clever, accessible, and great fun to read.