HomeGroupsTalkZeitgeist
Search Site
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.

Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988)

Author of Starship Troopers

Includes the names: Heinlein R, Heinlein R, Heinlein Ra, Lyle Monroe, R.A. Heinlein, Heinlein Robert, Anson MacDonald, Robert Khainlain, Robert KHaĭlaĭn, Robert A. Heinlien ... (see complete list), A. Robert Heinlein, Robert E. Heinlein, Heinlein A. Robert, Robert A. Heinlein, Robert A. Heinleir, Robert A. Heinlein, Heinlein Robert A., Robert A. Heinlein, Roberrt A. heinlein, Хайнлайн Р., Robert Anson Heinlein, Robert Anson Heinlein, R.A.ハインライン, editor Robert Heinlein, Хайнлайн Р. 9, Хайнлайн Р. 13, Хайнлайн Р. 23, רוברט הינלין, R・A ハインライン, Robert A. Heinlein - Ed., Robert A- Editor, Heinlein, רוברט א הינלין, Робърт Хайнлайн, Хайнлайн Роберт, Роберт Хайнлайн, Роберт Хайнлайн, Written by Robert A. Heinlein, Heinlein; Robert Anson Heinlein, Robert A. Heinlein: Ruimtejockey, Robert A. Heinlein: De tijdpoort, ロバート A.ハインライン, ロバート・A ハインライン, ロバート・A.ハインライン, ロバート・A. ハインライン, Robert A. Heinlein: T' Kan exploderen, ロバート・A・ハインライン, Robert A. Heinlein: Slavernij op Venus, Роберт Ансон Хайнлайн, Робърт Ансън Хайнлайн, Robert A. Heinlein: De donkere holen van Luna, Robert A. Heinlein: Heerlijk weer terug te zijn, Robert A. Heinlein: De man die de maan verkocht., Richard Robert A.; Illustrated by Powers Heinlein

MembersReviewsPopularityRatingFavorited   Events   
153,556 (171,049)2,41836 (3.75)717
Robert Anson Heinlein was born on July 7, 1907 in Butler, Mo. The son of Rex Ivar and Bam Lyle Heinlein, Robert Heinlein had two older brothers, one younger brother, and three younger sisters. Moving to Kansas City, Mo., at a young age, Heinlein graduated from Central High School in 1924 and attended one year of college at Kansas City Community College. Following in his older brother's footsteps, Heinlein entered the Navel Academy in 1925. After contracting pulmonary tuberculosis, of which he was later cured, Heinlein retired from the Navy and married Leslyn MacDonald. Heinlein was said to have held jobs in real estate and photography, before he began working as a staff writer for Upton Sinclair's EPIC News in 1938. Still needing money desperately, Heinlein entered a writing contest sponsored by the science fiction magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories. Heinlein wrote and submitted the story "Life-Line," which went on to win the contest. This guaranteed Heinlein a future in writing. Using his real name and the pen names Caleb Saunders, Anson MacDonald, Lyle Monroe, John Riverside, and Simon York, Heinlein wrote numerous novels including For Us the Living, Methuselah's Children, and Starship Troopers, which was adapted into a big-budget film for Tri-Star Pictures in 1997. The Science Fiction Writers of America named Heinlein its first Grand Master in 1974, presented 1975. Officers and past presidents of the Association select a living writer for lifetime achievement. Also, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame inducted Heinlein in 1998. Heinlein died in 1988 from emphysema and other related health problems. Heinlein's remains were scattered from the stern of a Navy warship off the coast of California. (Bowker Author Biography) — biography from Starship Troopers… (more)
Starship Troopers 11,492 copies, 212 reviews
Stranger in a Strange Land 10,319 copies, 150 reviews
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress 9,903 copies, 180 reviews
Time Enough for Love 5,349 copies, 63 reviews
Friday 4,828 copies, 66 reviews
The Cat Who Walks through Walls 4,662 copies, 50 reviews
Job: A Comedy of Justice 4,100 copies, 48 reviews
The Door into Summer 3,881 copies, 68 reviews
The Number of the Beast 3,753 copies, 43 reviews
Have Spacesuit, Will Travel 3,595 copies, 53 reviews
Glory Road 3,495 copies, 50 reviews
The Puppet Masters 3,495 copies, 44 reviews
I Will Fear No Evil 3,282 copies, 36 reviews
To Sail Beyond the Sunset 2,978 copies, 21 reviews
Citizen of the Galaxy 2,968 copies, 60 reviews
Double Star 2,959 copies, 72 reviews
Farnham's Freehold 2,853 copies, 40 reviews
Tunnel in the Sky 2,777 copies, 40 reviews
The Past Through Tomorrow 2,582 copies, 21 reviews
Podkayne of Mars 2,382 copies, 31 reviews
Orphans of the Sky 2,327 copies, 34 reviews
Red Planet 2,301 copies, 29 reviews
Methuselah's Children 2,277 copies, 14 reviews
Starman Jones 2,099 copies, 31 reviews
The Rolling Stones (Author) 2,058 copies, 24 reviews
The Green Hills of Earth 2,027 copies, 22 reviews
Space Cadet 2,009 copies, 21 reviews
Sixth Column 2,006 copies, 21 reviews
Farmer in the Sky 1,967 copies, 26 reviews
Revolt in 2100 1,928 copies, 18 reviews
Time for the Stars 1,910 copies, 36 reviews
The Star Beast 1,904 copies, 25 reviews
Beyond This Horizon 1,869 copies, 26 reviews
Expanded Universe 1,842 copies, 10 reviews
The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag (Author) 1,837 copies, 19 reviews
The Man Who Sold the Moon 1,805 copies, 22 reviews
Between Planets 1,775 copies, 23 reviews
Assignment in Eternity 1,683 copies, 20 reviews
Waldo & Magic, Inc. 1,616 copies, 18 reviews
Rocket Ship Galileo 1,597 copies, 23 reviews
The Menace From Earth 1,572 copies, 13 reviews
Variable Star 1,161 copies, 41 reviews
Grumbles from the Grave 1,128 copies, 11 reviews
Requiem 701 copies, 4 reviews
The Notebooks of Lazarus Long 700 copies, 7 reviews
The worlds of Robert A. Heinlein (Introduction) 591 copies, 4 reviews
Tomorrow the Stars (Editor) 558 copies, 3 reviews
Tramp Royale 324 copies, 3 reviews
Take Back Your Government 205 copies, 3 reviews
The Past Through Tomorrow, Vol. 1 161 copies, 2 reviews
The Past Through Tomorrow, Vol. 2 138 copies, 2 reviews
Outward Bound 118 copies, 1 review
Assignment in Eternity, Vol 2 107 copies, 3 reviews
Destination Moon 81 copies, 1 review
The best of Robert Heinlein 76 copies, 1 review
The Year of the Jackpot 71 copies, 2 reviews
Silent Thunder/Universe (Contributor) 62 copies, 1 review
The Roads Must Roll 54 copies, 1 review
Life Line 52 copies
Magic, Inc. 46 copies, 2 reviews
Universe 40 copies, 1 review
Lost Legacy 40 copies
Ordeal in Space 36 copies
By His Bootstraps 32 copies, 1 review
Destination Moon [1950 film] (Author) 28 copies, 1 review
Project Moonbase and Others 27 copies, 1 review
Coventry 23 copies, 1 review
If This Goes On 20 copies
Logic of Empire 17 copies
Searchlight 16 copies
Waldo 14 copies, 2 reviews
Sky Lift 13 copies
Gulf 11 copies, 1 review
Alpha : science fictionnoveller. 1 (Contributor) 11 copies
They 11 copies
Supernova 10 copies
Free Men 10 copies
Goldfish Bowl 10 copies
The Past Through Tomorrow 9 copies, 1 review
Pied Piper 7 copies
Historia del futuro IV 7 copies, 1 review
This I Believe 6 copies, 1 review
Common Sense 6 copies
Topeltstaar 4 copies
Science fiction omnibus 2 4 copies, 1 review
"Beyond Doubt" 3 copies, 1 review
Witch's Daughters 3 copies, 1 review
Science Fiction Omnibus 3 copies, 1 review
Farmer in the Sky / Orbitsville (Contributor) 3 copies
Poor Daddy 3 copies
Urania #323 (Author) 3 copies
jackpots 2 copies
Longue vie 2 copies
sf omnibus 1 copy, 1 review
1967 1 copy
Lazarus Long books 1 copy, 1 review
Piętaszek 1 copy
The World Treasury of Science Fiction (Contributor) 840 copies, 2 reviews
Adventures in Time and Space (Contributor, some editions; Contributor, some editions) 510 copies, 7 reviews
Fifty Short Science Fiction Tales (Contributor) 430 copies, 6 reviews
Masterpieces: The Best Science Fiction of the Century (Contributor) 416 copies, 7 reviews
Starship Troopers [1997 film] (Author) 377 copies, 5 reviews
Godbody (Introduction, some editions) 372 copies, 14 reviews
The Ascent of Wonder: The Evolution of Hard SF (Contributor) 371 copies, 5 reviews
Science Fiction Omnibus (Contributor) 325 copies, 6 reviews
A Treasury of Great Science Fiction, Volume 1 (Contributor) 322 copies, 3 reviews
A Treasury of Great Science Fiction, Volume 2 (Contributor) 302 copies, 3 reviews
Where Do We Go from Here? (Contributor, some editions) 293 copies, 5 reviews
A Treasury of Great Science Fiction [2-volume set] (Contributor) 274 copies, 5 reviews
Masterpieces of Fantasy and Enchantment (Contributor) 250 copies, 4 reviews
There Will Be War (Contributor) 249 copies
The Road to Science Fiction #3: From Heinlein to Here (Contributor) 233 copies, 4 reviews
The Astounding Science Fiction Anthology (Contributor) 222 copies, 2 reviews
Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy (Contributor) 218 copies, 2 reviews
The World Turned Upside Down (Contributor) 212 copies, 6 reviews
Cats in Space...and Other Places (Contributor) 203 copies
The Glory That Was (Introduction, some editions) 195 copies, 1 review
Tomorrow's Children (Contributor) 190 copies, 5 reviews
The Arbor House Treasury of Modern Science Fiction (Contributor) 186 copies, 2 reviews
The Fantasy Hall of Fame (Contributor) 184 copies
A Century of Science Fiction (Contributor) 180 copies, 2 reviews
Isaac Asimov Presents The Great SF Stories 1 (1939) (Contributor) 175 copies, 3 reviews
A Treasury of Science Fiction (Contributor, some editions) 168 copies, 2 reviews
Another Round at the Spaceport Bar (Contributor) 143 copies
Worlds to Come 135 copies, 3 reviews
Time Probe: The Sciences in Science Fiction (Contributor) 134 copies, 3 reviews
The Endless Frontier (Contributor) 133 copies, 2 reviews
Space Odyssey (Contributor) 129 copies, 1 review
The Golden Age of Science Fiction (Contributor; Contributor) 129 copies, 3 reviews
The SFWA Grand Masters, Volume 1 (Contributor) 122 copies, 1 review
A Treasury of Modern Fantasy (Contributor) 122 copies, 1 review
The Wesleyan Anthology of Science Fiction (Contributor) 119 copies, 3 reviews
Three Times Infinity (Contributor) 114 copies, 1 review
Spectrum (Contributor) 109 copies, 2 reviews
The Future Makers (Contributor) 105 copies, 2 reviews
The Worlds of Science Fiction (Contributor) 104 copies, 1 review
Mars, We Love You (Contributor) 100 copies, 2 reviews
Great Science Fiction Stories (Contributor) 97 copies, 2 reviews
First Contact (Contributor) 96 copies
New Destinies, Volume 7, Spring 1989 (Contributor) 94 copies, 1 review
Beyond Tomorrow (Contributor) 93 copies, 1 review
Foundations of Fear (Contributor) 92 copies, 2 reviews
Science Fiction Terror Tales (Contributor) 91 copies
Thor's Hammer (Contributor) 88 copies, 1 review
Unknown Worlds : Tales from Beyond (Contributor) 84 copies
Best SF Two (Contributor) 82 copies
Giants Unleashed (Contributor) 80 copies, 2 reviews
Science Fiction: The Future (Contributor) 79 copies, 1 review
The Dark Side (Contributor) 76 copies, 1 review
The Best of All Possible Worlds (Contributor) 75 copies, 2 reviews
Between Time and Terror (Contributor) 72 copies
Cities of wonder (Contributor) 72 copies
Other Dimensions: Ten Stories of Science Fiction (Contributor) 71 copies, 2 reviews
18 Greatest Science Fiction Stories (Contributor, some editions) 69 copies, 1 review
Citizens (Contributor) 67 copies, 3 reviews
More Adventures in Time and Space (Contributor) 65 copies, 1 review
The Paganism Reader (Contributor) 64 copies, 1 review
Masters of Fantasy (Contributor) 62 copies
Future Tense (Contributor) 62 copies
Time Travelers (Fiction in the Fourth Dimension) (Contributor) 61 copies, 3 reviews
Of Worlds Beyond (Contributor) 60 copies, 1 review
Rod Serling's Other Worlds (Contributor) 58 copies, 1 review
Beyond Human Ken (Contributor) 54 copies
Science Fiction for People Who Hate Science Fiction (Contributor) 53 copies, 1 review
Survival of Freedom (Contributor) 52 copies, 1 review
Tomorrow's Worlds: Ten Stories of Science Fiction (Contributor) 51 copies, 2 reviews
Classic Science Fiction (Contributor) 49 copies
Tomorrow X 4 (Contributor) 45 copies
In Dreams Awake (Contributor) 40 copies
Infinite Stars: Dark Frontiers (Contributor) 40 copies
The Folio Science Fiction Anthology (Contributor) 39 copies
Science Fiction (Author) 39 copies, 1 review
The Pocket Book of Science-Fiction (Contributor) 37 copies, 1 review
Dimension X (Coronet Books) (Contributor) 36 copies
The Others (Contributor) 35 copies
14 Great Tales of ESP (Contributor) 35 copies, 1 review
Windows Into Tomorrow (Contributor) 31 copies
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow ... (Contributor) 29 copies, 1 review
First Voyages (Contributor) 27 copies, 1 review
The Best from Startling Stories (Introduction) 26 copies
Shot in the Dark (Contributor) 24 copies
Now Begins Tomorrow (Contributor) 22 copies
Classic Science Fiction: The First Golden Age (Contributor) 20 copies, 1 review
Analog Anthology #2: Readers' Choice (Contributor) 18 copies, 1 review
The Other Side of the Clock (Contributor) 17 copies
If This Goes Wrong . . . (Contributor) 15 copies, 1 review
Science fiction verhalen [1969] (Contributor, some editions) 13 copies, 1 review
Rejser i tid og rum : en bog om science fiction (Author, some editions) 12 copies, 1 review
Astounding Science Fiction 1941 07 (Contributor) 11 copies
As Tomorrow Becomes Today (Contributor) 9 copies
Astounding Science Fiction 1941 03 (Contributor) 8 copies
Astounding Science Fiction 1950 07 (Contributor) 8 copies
Bruna Science Fiction Omnibus 2 (Contributor) 8 copies
Astounding Science Fiction 1940 02 (Contributor) 8 copies
Astounding Science Fiction 1956 02 (Contributor) 7 copies
Verhalen omnibus (Contributor) 7 copies
Astounding Science Fiction 1957 09 (Contributor) 7 copies
Alfa Twee: SF-Verhalen (Contributor) 7 copies
Overruled! (Contributor) 7 copies
ULLSTEIN 2000 SF STORIES 28 (Author) 7 copies
Omni Magazine October 1979 (Contributor) 6 copies
Astounding Science Fiction 1956 04 (Contributor) 6 copies
Astounding Science Fiction 1942 08 (Contributor) 5 copies
Writing books for boys and girls (Contributor, some editions) 5 copies
Astounding Science Fiction 1941 01 (Contributor) 5 copies
Astounding Science Fiction 1940 06 (Contributor) 4 copies
Bifrost n°57 (Contributor) 4 copies
Faseskift. Science Fiction noveller (Author, some editions) 3 copies, 1 review
Space Pioneers (Contributor) 3 copies, 1 review
Historier fra andre verdener (Contributor) 2 copies, 1 review
Den ¤elektriske myre og andre science fiction-fortællinger (Author, some editions) 2 copies, 1 review
4 tidsrejser : en antologi (Author, some editions) 1 copy, 1 review
Astonishing Stories, Vol. 03, No. 03, March 1942 (Contributor; Contributor) 1 copy
Fantascienza Gamma, n. 14 (Contributor) 1 copy

Top members (books)

Member favorites

Members: TamasKiss, gangleri, rgherndon, private member, tempus1234, kyp, GlenRH, DanJlaf, Louann42, Psyko2, uss.scissorfish, billjonesjr, BreeGrahamWrites, studlybookworm, maskarakan, tcg17321, private member, TMNR, Sammystarbuck, DrowBerserker (show 697 more), PWPlove, DreaDamara, J_Colson, ATFMCara, drjmallen, DDWolf, gmwhitley, SF-72, LiveAndrew, eye8trogdor, ChristinaEngela, exfed, Darth-Heather, GothKittyLady, bander.bramblegrub, DanaDavisBooks, Naggamanteh, nekokami, galadan, private member, donw146, Saxon451, private member, G2, private member, tnilsson, Book-Dragon1952, glindaharrison, Tatoosh, rowabe, ElizabethValdosta, theblindlibrarian, Skylles, jesse123, Ldmsmith, KylePratt, gnatdbug, GR_C17, pdp, private member, Novodvorskaya, el_len, LysholGunnarson, publiusdb, jgladieu, bfgar, Omnigeek, Alicia_Rose, jdecember28, Sonokodomo, gmerick, daniel.leary, private member, SamKates, cdogzilla, Deangus, TChungMayMay, amichaelschwarz, DeafScribe, daves0, JeffChadwell, shelbel100, bmorphism, Shaika-Dzari, tjbanf, robertebutwell, Golnarth, Locke, Swicegood, AlkaF, maxx_75, cq081, Maryk205, DrMclony, Cassandra_Strain, Spell.bound, SavageDougall, uujeff, thetguy, Dejah_Thoris, baacker, Avidhiker, tedroche, tabar, asubhani, bks1953, CalebAndMere, SelkeFamily, Thomas64, philosophymom, virg144, private member, jaydavid, WanderingReader, sweko, Amarand, stuffebooks, TasiaChiba, Marcuitholland, btuckertx, walt56, private member, rsmaalouf, Kim.Luttrell, bartell430, Ross54, markdoyle, private member, fvoellmer, Ondraya, AndrewMcBurney, libertytrooper, EldritchPulp, lisaewhite, sferguson, johnepetty, j.a.lesen, joesmaill, TinkabellThePixie, private member, pjotr76, tcagle, Dr.Creps, csmaccath, naveed83, rdelgadillo, AnjaMeta, DABlankinship, Karamazov, Ruetha, curmudgeony, rwicksall, x13923, 1dragones, a.r.gonzalez, steve823, robrambusch, mcleanbooks, KitSileya, mwallis07, Jezalenko, Crazy_Bunny_Lady, tophile, Onionspark, earneson, metello, riktod, EC130John, mlbaron, mlippert, s0fist, Merseia, bcwoodywiz, private member, DougRoberts, LuLu-Too-Beaucoup, svfreeman, PhaistosDisk, private member, uh8myzen, Ross.Farnsworth, private member, drmamm, CrayolaCrayon, katelattuca, yjones, private member, RowanGolightly, cjahnke, negativecharlie, lycomayflower, Zaius, private member, cgooderhamcampbell, owleye01, barbgarcia1987, Ceruleanfleur, RobotReviewer, GVassmer, RenWomanInk, Beth.Kimbell, LowFlyer, michaelbeeman, ceilmary, mumfie, cycleskinla, Vintagecoats, kritzberg, private member, stew, karaus, strangefate, jtwigg, G1MZT, BarbaraHouston, omermaras, dagnyroyce, MsLott, rols_in_aus, PaladinSB, DemetriosX, disfit, bamboozled89, skullduggery, wwj, non-apejase, amymlevy, nwdavies, Waterlylly, HelmutSimonis, clif_hiker, mrsrjd, Hellblazer1138, SpaceAgeCity, annarosa, David_Kantrowitz, ochobbit, DigitaLibrarian, private member, SempreLibri, private member, unsquare, SabrinaKidd, Sosseres, Baphijmm, private member, rdemarest, Maelgwyn, atheist, sadiesue8, algor_langeaux, BundyBear, StefanH62, rahfan22, JMak, Emydoo, schste, MaxedOut, PaoloTrevisan, ChingShih, Elasticlad, Sundry, WittFan, nateberly, LisaMaria_C, pagerd, thelegion87, DaddyBear, Ballatom, MarkBerres, rachcook, private member, TeresaMFloyd, TadpoleAngel, sfcat, RRHowell, jltott, Esquiress, ajscott, DanaBrand, rokubungi, Pebblesgmc, buruko, okrick, private member, sdcurnow, davidbrin, AndreFan, cSoul, SCTechSorceress, raisey, notecloud, juliansammy, benedetto.fiorelli, private member, ford30a, JPHarvey, Zeta, myriah, private member, Ambros, gloriaoliver, N33tFr33k, Prometheus7, K.J., psyke, tirpetz, private member, LilWhiteMouse, DovSherman, kyrilson, DrPlokta, deoradh, Tyllwin, laura1814, Tropical-Library, MakeMyOwnWings, CoCamel, alseen, boneslv, private member, lyse, bbizzle1, luciandavid, bironran, BoB3k, tih, Happy2, gjberger, jmkuhn, gablueys, pinkbull, dangerman23, tostka, hollering, AmyLundebrek, MaureenRoy, hdzookeeper, freeluna, drbottlecapper, memex, PkrImperatrix, private member, cirdan747, jsw, lordraven, Alloutofwords, JTandRobin, Michael.Hatch, thorklund, ecidnac, suitable1, 4caddie, fugitive, Audacity88, Ayran, mjfmjfmjf, LorinRicker, alonys, AlanPoulter, private member, KeyMasterOfGozer, Esmeraldus, davisam1, schreiner, BethyB, SnowSnake, .Monkey., mnemoy, Engnova, MMSequeira, pastrydeity, easthousing, boblfixit, sinigagl, irisclara, Chariton, davidbarrkirtley, NimirRa, sallysetsforth, AHS-Wolfy, Phrogger57, srwilde, snipemonkey, Calaire, BrightHope, private member, bringbackbanding, warddavidl, quilted_kat, DirtPriest, Kagerou8, Andybaby, Ezmyrelda, SnowCatMacDobhran, SerenDippity, billyd, timescape, argotteditor, Gandalara, lanceecnal, MaggieLeber, sevedra, kately, agwerschky, gandalf_grey, brianse, vidarrapp, aautio, DWWilkin, birdistheword, Loptsson, lox, IslandDave, tajohnson, khyron1144, jlj, Elizabelle, WithoutContext, wick98, alexthekone, dennymeta, LibrarianFu, the4wynnes, cthufoo, Riki_Kiki_Taco, kurtwagner, featherfooted, att, ryancewind, nigelbakker, jadler, Akrasiac, mclay2007, absinthebride, sharonluvscats, Stevarooni, StormRaven, Undinae, pkander2, rhodgejr, jonp77, word_junkie, wombatdeamor, JudithProctor, jlshall, Balkan, Kavland, Doctroid, mycalls, kb22, hjjugovic, mattwilson9090, ochre24, id_doomer, jpmcdevitt, Awfki, gschultheiss, EmperorOfSarantium, cwallen, brewbooks, MarkAlger, ildanochbooks, silversurfer, mordantkitten, MightyFlub, AGaiman, twink_q, danielpoeira, iicydiamonds, spinmass, rbaech, annaxt, greytfriend, daysa, private member, mrangel, Alixtii, VectrexGamer, rahfan, espertus, FinnyB, jkivela, msreed, NauticalFiction99, RachelfromSarasota, Ephrael5051, Helene123, alliwantedwasapepsi, private member, Teetzelk, chcholman, private member, detlef, BMF1972, twainiac, othiym23, minkar, Rapier, veenstra, jkd2, Polenth, pmsyyz, gopakumar.sethuraman, shrike10997, cancer53, Landshark5, An_Fear_Glas, natantus, thepogoman, private member, justjim, MacLloyd, TheMachine, lauraleigh, dv8amk, Grawolph, Vern3, EmScape, johnnyapollo, mdpii, montykins, archaism, RMANG, bfeist, heraldhamster, simplerich, LamSon, TheAlternativeOne, Oukranos, FicusFan, PaulWood, marlojo, Ook, acemccloudxx, Gorobnik, rnada, Ashlar-, Kuyper, kapheine, mikeccinbos, uvula_fr_b4, Mecharius, MeditationesMartini, charlierobinson51, bbmaj, livemodelbooks, ajburton, scott.potter, snbooks, Adil, veritasnoctis, PitcherBooks, Elena1960, Madradish, Uh_Andy, blackhandgang, private member, weever, pairodimes, rhys6blue, emperor_norton, hermit_9, gh4acws, rdstoops, MaskedBrute, jamist, mponte, DeanieG, hlynna, Ensorceled, Neale, private member, silvein, bobholt, lesvrolyk, solcita, hyperpat, parcequilfaut, netmouse, arkan, dclements, ClutteredMind, chrisbailey, Severian, avatar-1, VoodooPunk, UncleBear, yaakov, MichaelRua, allisonh, Lunapilot, pepster, Wingborn, stevetempo, sarahemmm, crios, DanielEfton, robur, Punster, seawalker0903, paulhurtley, velyrhorde, private member, rasjani, lidermanrony, Skout, geekspeeker, EricJamesStone, fuhrmadm, wildbill, MarcW, Cubine, sylkykat, suitcasemonster, bardkris, ellisonite, Sethgsamuel, Revolos55, Jozian, lillesmilla, kaj, RivercityMadman, scook3, improbus, ServusLibri, jeidai, negolith, GonzoMcFonzo, nicodp, pandich, lunaverse, morydd, elmomartin, dwmoody, xenchu, OpheliaAwakens, deerberry, rowens, reesie, MichaelWoodhead, greendragongirl, reellis67, Eldritch_Crank, njfuzzy, Laz, RicketyCat, pmorris, szarka, FunnyGrampa, feaelin, jagerhunde, Packrat, sweetdisparity, schizocat, jwitsoe, hexmap, illwynd, private member, miki, trollpete, WalnutSpinney, usnmm2, battlinjack, LucasTrask, mdhamilton, PhoenixTerran, noreht, cialia, rocketcitymel, byroade, Morphidae, private member, enrique_molinero, weheckman, branadain, Othniel, birdzen, HutcH, gritmonkey, ksader, surly, willofgod777, private member, dyzv0r, Loremaster, ogreart, BlankTom, AlisonW, kleo, miketurner, ravel, The_Barbarian, Archren, yggdrasil, Chasintrail, Chimelle, private member, eidenschink, irapearson, torin, segnbora, goddesswashu, RedQueen, WorldMaker, dandare99, sdobie, Sabarade, omf, VeraMarie, sailordanae, PortiaLong, balzigore, infiniteletters, Noisy, dulcibelle, private member

20th century (460) adventure (310) aliens (341) American (355) anthology (2,811) audiobook (311) classic (539) classics (279) collection (456) ebook (1,027) fantasy (1,440) fiction (12,653) future history (323) goodreads (352) hardcover (492) Heinlein (2,480) Lazarus Long (277) Mars (324) mmpb (468) non-fiction (327) novel (1,656) own (817) owned (353) paperback (1,625) PB (468) read (2,308) religion (321) science fiction (36,807) Science Fiction/Fantasy (1,053) sf (7,205) sff (1,887) short stories (2,184) space (292) space travel (320) speculative fiction (579) time travel (500) to-read (4,126) unread (908) YA (318) young adult (519)
You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Canonical name
Legal name
Other names
Date of birth
Date of death
Burial location
Gender
Nationality
Country (for map)
Birthplace
Place of death
Cause of death
Places of residence
Education
Occupations
Relationships
Agents
Organizations
Awards and honors
Short biography
Robert Anson Heinlein was born in July 1907, in Missouri.  A military career was ended by tuberculosis in 1934.  After a brief attempt at politics, he became a hugely prolific science fiction author, writing novels and short stories until his death in 1988.
Robert Anson Heinlein July 7, 1907 – May 8, 1988) was an American science-fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and retired Naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His work continues to have an influence on the science-fiction genre, and on modern culture more generally.

Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters that were strong and independent, yet often stereotypically feminine – such as Friday.

A writer also of numerous science-fiction short stories, Heinlein was one of a group of writers who came to prominence under the editorship (1937–1971) of John W. Campbell at Astounding Science Fiction magazine, though Heinlein denied that Campbell influenced his writing to any great degree.

Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas, and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.

Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon. In the first chapter of the novel Space Cadet he anticipated the cell phone, 35 years before Motorola invented the technology. Several of Heinlein's works have been adapted for film and television.
Disambiguation notice

Member ratings

Average: (3.75)
0.5 64
1 596
1.5 180
2 2189
2.5 497
3 7856
3.5 1679
4 10644
4.5 933
5 7687

Author pictures (5)

(see all 5 author pictures)

Improve this author

Combine/separate works

Author division

Robert A. Heinlein is currently considered a "single author." If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author.

Includes

Robert A. Heinlein is composed of 54 names. You can examine and separate out names.

Combine with…

 

About | Contact | Privacy/Terms | Help/FAQs | Blog | Store | APIs | TinyCat | Legacy Libraries | Early Reviewers | Common Knowledge | 185,321,313 books! | Top bar: Always visible