Neal Town Stephenson, born October 31, 1959, is an acclaimed American writer, best known for his contributions to the genre of speculative fiction. His diverse body of work often blurs the lines between science fiction, historical fiction, cyberpunk, postcyberpunk, and baroque, making him a versatile figure in the literary world.

Stephenson's novels are rich tapestries woven with themes of mathematics, cryptography, linguistics, philosophy, currency, and the history of science. In addition to fiction, he has penned numerous non-fiction articles on technology for publications such as Wired. His collaborative efforts with his uncle, George Jewsbury ("J. Frederick George"), under the pseudonym Stephen Bury, further highlight his ability to transcend genres and explore complex ideas.

Outside of writing, Stephenson has engaged in various advisory and entrepreneurial roles. He has served as a part-time advisor for Blue Origin, a company dedicated to developing spacecraft and space launch systems, and co-founded Subutai Corporation. Notably, he held the position of Chief Futurist at Magic Leap from 2014 to 2020, where he contributed to innovative projects in the realm of interactive fiction.

With titles such as Reamde, Anathem, and the three-volume historical epic the Baroque Cycle (Quicksilver, The Confusion, and The System of the World), as well as Cryptonomicon, The Diamond Age, Snow Crash, and Zodiac under his belt, Neal Stephenson has firmly established himself as a key figure in the exploration of the boundaries between technology, science, and fiction. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington.