Harry Harrison

Date of Birth: March 12, 1925

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: August 15, 2012

Biography

Harry Harrison, born Henry Maxwell Dempsey, was an American science fiction author renowned for his satirical and humorous writing style. He was born on March 12, 1925, in Stamford, Connecticut. Harrison’s career began in the world of comic books, but he later transitioned to writing novels and short stories. He is best known for his “Stainless Steel Rat” series, which follows the adventures of the witty and resourceful con artist and thief, “Slippery Jim” DiGriz. Another of his well-known works is “Make Room! Make Room!” (1966), a dystopian novel that inspired the 1973 film “Soylent Green.” Harrison’s work often explored themes of overpopulation, environmental degradation, and social satire. Throughout his career, he wrote more than 50 novels and numerous short stories, earning a reputation as a prolific and influential writer in the science fiction genre. Harrison passed away on August 15, 2012, in Crowborough, East Sussex, England.

5 Interesting Facts about Harry Harrison

1. Harry Harrison served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II as a gunnery instructor.

2. He worked as an illustrator and writer for various comic books before fully committing to writing science fiction.

3. Harrison co-founded the “New Worlds” magazine with John Carnell, which played a significant role in the British science fiction scene.

4. His novel “Make Room! Make Room!” is often credited with raising awareness about the dangers of overpopulation and environmental neglect.

5. Harrison was an advocate for Esperanto, an international auxiliary language, and even used it in some of his works.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harry Harrison

1. “The principles of true art is not to portray, but to evoke.”

2. “The only real problem in life is what to do next.”

3. “The world is what it is, but that doesn’t mean we have to accept it.”

4. “Satire is a lesson; parody is a game.”

5. “I don’t care where the ideas come from; I care about where they go.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Harry Harrison’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million, primarily derived from his successful writing career and the adaptation of his works into films and other media.

Children

Harry Harrison had two children, Todd Harrison and Moira Harrison. Both have maintained a relatively private life away from the spotlight of their father’s fame.