J. G. Ballard

Date of Birth: November 15, 1930

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: April 19, 2009

Biography

James Graham Ballard, commonly known as J.G. Ballard, was a British writer born on November 15, 1930, in Shanghai, China. Ballard is renowned for his dystopian novels and short stories that often explore themes of technology, human psychology, and societal decay. His early life was marked by the internment in a Japanese prison camp during World War II, an experience that profoundly influenced his later works, most notably his semi-autobiographical novel “Empire of the Sun” (1984), which was later adapted into a film by Steven Spielberg. After moving to England in 1946, Ballard studied medicine at King’s College, Cambridge, but left before completing his degree. He turned to writing and published his first short story in 1956. Ballard’s early works were primarily science fiction, but he gradually shifted towards more experimental narratives. His novel “Crash” (1973), which explores the symbiotic relationship between humans and technology through the lens of car crash fetishism, remains one of his most controversial works. Ballard continued to write prolifically until his death, producing numerous novels, short stories, and essays that have left a lasting impact on contemporary literature. He passed away on April 19, 2009, in London, England.

5 Interesting Facts about J. G. Ballard

1. Ballard was interned in a Japanese prison camp during World War II, an experience that inspired his novel “Empire of the Sun.”

2. He abandoned medical studies at King’s College, Cambridge, to pursue a career in writing.

3. His novel “Crash” was adapted into a film by director David Cronenberg in 1996.

4. Ballard coined the term “Ballardian,” which refers to dystopian modernity, bleak man-made landscapes, and the psychological effects of technological, social, or environmental developments.

5. His work has influenced a wide range of artists, including musicians like Joy Division and filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and David Cronenberg.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from J. G. Ballard

1. “In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom.”

2. “The future is a better key to the present than the past.”

3. “Science fiction is the history of the future.”

4. “I wanted to rub the human face in its own vomit and force it to look in the mirror.”

5. “The advanced societies of the future may well be so busy looking after the environment that they will be unable to afford the luxury of war.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, J.G. Ballard’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

J.G. Ballard had three children with his wife, Mary Matthews: James, Fay, and Bea Ballard. Mary tragically passed away from pneumonia in 1964, leaving Ballard to raise their children alone.