Frank Herbert
Early Life
Frank Patrick Herbert Jr. was born on October 8, 1920, in Tacoma, Washington, to Frank Patrick Herbert Sr. and Eileen McCarthy Herbert. He was of Irish Catholic descent and was the only child of his parents. His early years were marked by frequent moves as his father, a poor itinerant photographer, struggled to make ends meet.
Herbert's interest in reading was sparked at a young age. He was particularly drawn to pulp magazines and science fiction novels, which would later influence his writing style. He attended high school in Salem, Oregon, where he also worked as a newspaper delivery boy for the Salem Statesman Journal.
Career
After high school, Herbert attended the University of Washington but did not graduate. He served in the U.S. Navy as a photographer during World War II. After the war, he worked in various jobs, including as a radio news commentator and newspaper journalist. He started writing fiction in the early 1950s, but his work was initially rejected by publishers.
Herbert's first novel, "The Dragon in the Sea," was published in 1955. The novel, which dealt with the theme of human survival and evolution, established Herbert as a promising new voice in science fiction.
In 1965, Herbert published his most famous work, "Dune." The novel, set in a distant future on the desert planet Arrakis, explores complex themes such as ecology, politics, and religion. "Dune" won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1965 and shared the Hugo Award in 1966. It has since been adapted into a film and a television series.
Herbert continued to write prolifically throughout his career, producing more than twenty novels and numerous short stories. His other notable works include "The Dosadi Experiment," "Destination: Void," and "The Santaroga Barrier."
Personal Life and Death
Herbert married Flora Parkinson in 1940, and they had a daughter, Penny. The couple divorced in 1945. Herbert then married Beverly Ann Stuart in 1946, and they had two sons, Brian and Bruce. Beverly was a major influence on Herbert's work, and her death in 1984 deeply affected him.
Herbert died of a pulmonary embolism on February 11, 1986, in Madison, Wisconsin. His son, Brian, has since continued his father's "Dune" series with co-author Kevin J. Anderson.
Legacy
Herbert's influence on the science fiction genre is profound. His work is known for its philosophical depth, scientific accuracy, and complex world-building. His "Dune" series, in particular, has had a significant impact on popular culture and has inspired many other works of science fiction.
Despite his death, Herbert's work continues to be widely read and studied. His novels have been translated into dozens of languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. His ideas about ecology, religion, and human potential continue to resonate with readers and scholars.