Born in Bromley in Kent, England, Herbert George “H. G.” Wells (1866-1946) has been called the father of science fiction. His most notable works include The War of the Worlds (1897), The Time Machine (1895), The Invisible Man (1897), and The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896). Wells also wrote on topics related to history and social commentary and was involved in politics for much of his life. Novels like Kipps and The History of Mr. Polly, which describe lower-middle class life, led to the suggestion that he was a worthy successor to Charles Dickens. After living through two World Wars and seeing Orson Welles’ broadcast of The War of the Worlds strike panic in listeners, Wells died in London on August 13, 1946. The Invisible Man remains a remarkable work of science fiction, revealing the destructive effects science can have on humanity.