Origins & Early Life

Philip Kindred Dick (December 16, 1928 – March 2, 1982) was an American science fiction short story writer and novelist. He wrote 45 novels and about 121 short stories, most of which appeared in science fiction magazines. His fiction explored varied philosophical and social questions such as the nature of reality, perception, human nature, and identity, and commonly featured characters struggling against alternate realities, illusory environments, monopolistic corporations, drug abuse, authoritarian governments, and altered states of consciousness. He is considered one of the most important figures in 20th-century science fiction.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Born in Chicago, Dick moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with his family at a young age. He began publishing science fiction stories in 1952, at age 23. He found little commercial success until his alternative history novel The Man in the High Castle (1962) earned him acclaim, including a Hugo Award for Best Novel, when he was 33. He followed with science fiction novels such as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968) and Ubik (1969).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His 1974 novel Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Agnès Varda — Contemporary (Born in 1928) (1928): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Alan J. Pakula — Contemporary (Born in 1928) (1928): American film director, writer, and producer known for political thrillers.
• Alexander Bogdanov — Contemporary (Died in 1928) (1928): Polymath philosopher, pioneer of blood transfusion, and key Bolshevik revolutionary.
• 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Contemporary (Born in 1982) (1982): The 44th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
• Alan Ritchson — Contemporary (Born in 1982) (1982): American actor known for roles in Reacher, Titans, and superhero franchises.
• Alexandre Alexeieff — Contemporary (Died in 1982) (1982): Russian-born artist, filmmaker, and illustrator known for inventing the pinscreen technique.
• Afonso de Albuquerque — Shared historical date (12-16 · Died) (1515): Portuguese general and conquistador who built the Asian Portuguese Empire.
• Anthony Barber — Shared historical date (12-16 · Died) (2005): British Conservative politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1970-1974)
• Andrei Linde — Shared historical date (03-02 · Born) (1948): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for inflationary cosmology and the multiverse concept.
• Berthe Morisot — Shared historical date (03-02 · Died) (1895): Pioneering French painter and key figure among the Impressionists.
• 1928 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1928
• December 16 (12-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 16
• 1982 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1982
• March 2 (03-02) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 2