Jules Verne is celebrated as a foundational figure in science fiction, born in 1828. His stories transported readers to bold new adventures and imagined technologies that did not exist in his era but would later drive real world invention. Timeless works such as Around the World in 80 Days, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, and Journey to the Center of the Earth continue to stand as touchstones of exploration and wonder. Verne’s knack for blending speculative ideas with gripping narrative helped popularize science fiction, and his books have sparked countless film and animation adaptations, cementing his status as one of the most translated authors in history.
Although he attended top schools in France, Verne pursued literature with fierce devotion, often setting his studies aside in favor of storytelling. While studying law, he pressed ahead with his writing ambitions, a path that led to financial strain when his father withdrew support. He then found work as a stockbroker, continuing to write, and his commercial breakthrough came with the support of a renowned editor who recognized his talent and vision.
- From the start, writing was Verne’s calling. He first explored words as opera librettos, shaping his sense of rhythm and storytelling in song before committing to prose.
- Over four decades he produced roughly a book per year across landscapes and subjects. Surprisingly, he did not travel extensively; his vivid settings sprang from imagination and voracious reading.
- In Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Verne conceived the submarine Nautilus long before real submarines with electric power emerged; when the first electric sub appeared in 1886, it carried the same name in homage.
- Verne counted literary giants Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas among his acquaintances, and they offered guidance and encouragement in his craft.