Stanisław Herman Lem was a Polish writer, born on 12 September 1921 and passed away on 27 March 2006. He was the author of numerous novels, short stories, and essays spanning various subjects, including philosophy, futurology, and literary criticism. Known for his satirical and humorous style, Lem's science fiction stories have been translated into more than 50 languages, selling over 45 million copies worldwide. He is best recognized as the author of the 1961 novel Solaris.

In 1976, author Theodore Sturgeon stated that Lem was the most widely read science fiction writer globally. His significant philosophical work, Summa Technologiae, anticipated the creation of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, exploring themes such as human autoevolution and the creation of artificial worlds. Lem's works delve into philosophical themes by speculating on technology, the nature of intelligence, and humanity's place in the universe, often emphasizing the challenges of communication and understanding between different intelligences.

Lem's writing, rich with neologisms and idiomatic wordplay, presents a challenge for translators. Despite this, his works remain influential, and the lower house of the Polish Parliament, the Sejm, declared 2021 as Stanisław Lem Year.