Frank Herbert

American writer (1920-1986) · United States · Writers · Died at 65

Frank Herbert is read about 2,282 times a day, in 69 languages.

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He built a desert planet so intricate it changed what science fiction could be - Dune sold millions, spawned five sequels, and keeps getting remade because no one's cracked its full vision yet.

Writers Writer / Author Literature Fiction Photography Journalism United States Americas

A life in dates

2006Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of FameAward1986Died11 February 1986Cosmos 2000 AwardAward1981“If you ask "Should we be in space?" you ask a nonsense question. We are in space. We will be in space.”In their words"Man's Future in Space", (1981), essay reprinted in The Maker of Dune : Insights of a Master of Science Fiction (1987), edited by TimRead the whole statement

1978Prix Tour-Apollo AwardAward1974“The current utopian ideal being touted by people as politically diverse (on the surface, but not underneath) as President Richard M. Nixon and Senator Edward M.”In their words"Science Fiction and a World in Crisis" in Science Fiction: Today and Tomorrow (1974) edited by Reginald BretnorRead the whole statement

Seiun Award for Best Translated Long WorkAward1973“When I was quite young... I began to suspect there must be flaws in my sense of reality.”In their words"Doll Factory, Gun Factory" (1973), essay reprinted in The Maker of Dune : Insights of a Master of Science Fiction (1987), edited by TimRead the whole statement

1970“The thing we must do intensely is be human together. People are more important than things. We must get together. The best thing humans can have going for them is each other.”In their words"Introduction" to New World or No World (1970)Read the whole statement

“Ecology is a dirty seven-letter word to many people. They are like heavy sleepers refusing to be aroused. "Leave me alone! It's not time to get up yet!”In their words"Introduction" to New World or No World (1970)Read the whole statement

1966Hugo Award for Best NovelAwardNebula Award for Best NovelAward1963“It's rooted in the fears to which all men are heir and, thus, deserves sympathy, not censure or laughter.”In their words20 October 1963On belief in UFOs, in "Flying Saucers: Fact or Farce?", San Francisco Sunday Examiner & Chronicle, "People" supplement, (20 October 1963);Read the whole statement

1920Born8 October 1920

Also in Deutsch

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Frank Herbert 1984 (square)

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In their own words 10

Frank Herbert

10 statements, newest first

If you ask "Should we be in space?" you ask a nonsense question. We are in space. We will be in space.
1981, "Man's Future in Space", (1981), essay reprinted in The Maker of Dune : Insights of a Master of Science Fiction (1987), edited by Tim, Own words
The current utopian ideal being touted by people as politically diverse (on the surface, but not underneath) as President Richard M. Nixon and Senator Edward M.
1974, "Science Fiction and a World in Crisis" in Science Fiction: Today and Tomorrow (1974) edited by Reginald Bretnor, Own words
When I was quite young... I began to suspect there must be flaws in my sense of reality.
1973, "Doll Factory, Gun Factory" (1973), essay reprinted in The Maker of Dune : Insights of a Master of Science Fiction (1987), edited by Tim, Own words

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Awards

Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame2006

Cosmos 2000 Award1986

Prix Tour-Apollo Award1978

Seiun Award for Best Translated Long Work1974

Nebula Award for Best Novel1966

Hugo Award for Best Novel1966

Family

Frank Herbert

Partners

Child Brian Herbert

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About this person

Franklin Patrick Herbert Jr. was born October 8, 1920, and spent years working as a newspaper journalist, photographer, and book reviewer before science fiction took over. In 1965 he published Dune, a novel dense with ecology, politics, and religion that became one of the best-selling science-fiction books of all time. He wrote five sequels, cementing the series as a genre classic. The adaptations kept coming - David Lynch's divisive 1984 film, two 2000s miniseries, and now Denis Villeneuve's trilogy, with parts released in 2021 and 2024. Herbert died February 11, 1986, decades before the desert would fill cinema screens again.

Country

United States

In common with Frank

Patrick StewartAlso in Dune (1984)

Jürgen ProchnowAlso in Dune (1984)

Kyle MacLachlanAlso in Dune (1984)

Brad DourifAlso in Dune (1984)

Alicia WittAlso in Dune (1984)

Sean YoungAlso in Dune (1984)

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