Herbert George Wells, known for his prolific writing across genres such as science fiction, non-fiction, social commentary, politics, history, popular science, satire, biography, and autobiography, has been immortalized as a foundational figure in science fiction. With more than fifty novels and dozens of short stories to his name, Wells's contributions to literature and his vision of the future have left an indelible mark on the genre. His science fiction novels, which include The Time Machine, The Island of Doctor Moreau, The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds, and others, showcase his unique ability to combine commonplace detail with extraordinary assumptions— a technique that earned him the title "Shakespeare of science fiction".

Wells's early education in biology under Thomas Henry Huxley and his degrees from the University of London informed his Darwinian approach to ethical questions. An outspoken socialist, his political and social views often reflected pacifist tendencies, although not consistently throughout his life. Wells's later years saw a shift towards more political and didactic writings, moving away from science fiction to focus on his social and political views, sometimes stating his profession as journalism.

His narratives were not only limited to the future but also provided a critique of the English society of his time, drawing comparisons to Charles Dickens. Wells's ability to depict a range of social strata, coupled with his diagnosis of English society as a whole, particularly in works like Kipps and Tono-Bungay, demonstrated his deep engagement with the world around him. In addition to his literary achievements, Wells was a diabetic who co-founded The Diabetic Association (now Diabetes UK) in 1934, further solidifying his impact beyond the literary world.

Wells's legacy is further honored by the naming of a lunar crater, H. G. Wells, on the moon's far side, a testament to his lasting influence on both literature and our imagination of the future.