Masters of the vortex

E. E. “Doc” Smith (1890–1965) was an American science fiction author, often credited as the father of the space opera genre. Smith worked as a chemist and food engineer until a friend suggested that he use his speculations about interstellar travel to write a novel. His first book, The Skylark of Space, was initially rejected by many book publishers and magazines before being serialized in Amazing Stories magazine, where it met with huge success. He spent the ensuing four decades writing novels and stories and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2004.