Gene Rodman Wolfe was an American science fiction and fantasy writer, born on May 7, 1931 in Texas and passed away on April 14, 2019. After dropping out from Texas A&M University, he served in the Korean War, and later graduated from the University of Houston. He worked as an engineer, notably designing part of the machine that produces Pringles potato chips, and as the editor of Plant Engineering magazine.

Wolfe was a prolific writer, publishing over 30 novels and hundreds of short stories. He was renowned for the complexity of his narratives and the depth of his characters, often using unreliable narrators to enhance his thematic focus on memory. His work frequently explored themes of morality, through the lens of his Catholic faith, which he adopted after marrying a Catholic.

Primarily recognized for his science fiction and fantasy works, Wolfe received numerous accolades including the British Science Fiction, World Fantasy, British Fantasy, Locus, Nebula, and Campbell Memorial Awards. In 2012, he was named the 29th Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Wolfe is best known for his Book of the New Sun series, the first part of his "Solar Cycle".

Wolfe's dense, allusive prose and the influence of his Catholic faith have earned him the nickname "the Melville of science fiction". He was nominated for the Hugo Award multiple times and in 1996, received the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement.