Richard Burton Matheson was an American author and screenwriter, primarily known for his works in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. Born in Allendale, New Jersey, to Norwegian immigrant parents, he was raised in Brooklyn and began writing at the young age of eight. Matheson graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1943 and served as an infantry soldier in World War II. After the war, he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in 1949.

Matheson moved to California in 1951, where he began his career as a screenwriter, contributing to several notable television series and films. He wrote episodes for The Twilight Zone, including the iconic "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet", and screenplays for adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe's stories, such as House of Usher and The Pit and the Pendulum.

He is perhaps best known as the author of I Am Legend, a 1954 science fiction horror novel adapted into three major films, including The Last Man on Earth, The Omega Man, and I Am Legend. Matheson also adapted his short story "Duel" into a screenplay for Steven Spielberg's television film of the same name.

In addition to his prolific work in science fiction and horror, Matheson published western stories during the 1950s and an autobiographical war novel, The Beardless Warriors, in 1960. His influence extends into numerous adaptations of his stories into films, including The Incredible Shrinking Man, Somewhere in Time, What Dreams May Come, and A Stir of Echoes.