Hubert "Cubby" Selby Jr. (July 23, 1928 – April 26, 2004) was an American writer, renowned for his gritty and evocative narratives. Two of his most celebrated novels, Last Exit to Brooklyn (1964) and Requiem for a Dream (1978), delve into the stark realities of life in the New York area, and both have been adapted into films, featuring appearances by Selby himself.

His literary debut, Last Exit to Brooklyn, encountered legal challenges due to its explicit content, leading to a highly publicized obscenity trial in the United Kingdom and a ban in Italy. This controversy, however, did not deter support from prominent figures in the literary world, such as Anthony Burgess, who defended Selby's work. His influence extends across generations, inspiring countless writers with his visceral storytelling.

Before embracing his literary career, Selby's life was marked by significant adversity. After serving as a merchant marine in his teens, he was diagnosed with a severe lung disease, which led to repeated hospitalizations. When faced with a grim prognosis, Selby chose resilience over despair. He famously quipped, "I knew the alphabet. Maybe I could be a writer." Drawing from the depths of his experiences and the vibrant life of his Brooklyn neighborhood, he embarked on a writing journey that would change the landscape of American literature.

For over two decades, Selby shared his passion for storytelling by teaching creative writing at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he resided from 1983 until his passing in 2004.