Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger

Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger was an American political scientist, professor, military officer, and expert in psychological warfare. He studied East Asian politics and culture, earned a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, served during World War II, and wrote the influential nonfiction book Psychological Warfare. He also published fiction under the names Felix C. Forrest and Carmichael Smith.

As Cordwainer Smith, Linebarger created the sweeping future history known as the Instrumentality of Mankind. His science fiction career began with “Scanners Live in Vain” in 1950 and included memorable stories such as “The Ballad of Lost C’Mell,” along with the novel Norstrilia. Known for poetic language, unusual narrative voices, and a strong concern for human dignity, he produced a relatively small body of work before his death in 1966, but his influence on science fiction has endured.