Leigh Brackett
Leigh Brackett: A Pioneering Author of Science Fiction and Mystery
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Leigh Douglas Brackett was an American author best known for her work in science fiction and mystery. She is often referred to as one of the most prominent female authors in the science fiction genre.
#### Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 29, 1915, in Los Angeles, California, Leigh Brackett passed away on March 18, 1978, at the age of 62.
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
Brackett was an American citizen and a full-time author. She wrote extensively across various genres, including science fiction, mystery, historical novels, and Westerns.
#### Early Life and Background
Leigh grew up in Los Angeles with her parents, who encouraged her love for reading from an early age. Her father, Douglas Leigh Brackett, was an engineer, and her mother, Helen Norton Brackett, was a homemaker. The family moved to the San Fernando Valley when Leigh was four years old, where she spent most of her childhood.
Growing up in Southern California greatly influenced Leigh's writing, as it provided her with diverse landscapes and settings for her stories. She attended high school in North Hollywood before enrolling at UCLA in 1934. However, due to financial constraints, she dropped out after two years without graduating.
#### Major Accomplishments
Brackett began her writing career during the Great Depression, when many aspiring authors started publishing their work in pulp magazines. Her first short story was published in 1940 under the pseudonym "Lee Gregory." Initially, she focused on mystery and science fiction genres, but eventually transitioned to writing novels.
Some of Brackett's notable works include:
The Big Jump (1955), a novel that explores life in space colonies
The Long Tomorrow (1950), a classic science fiction tale about a man who travels back in time
The Guardians of Time (1977), a fantasy adventure series
Brackett's most famous contribution, however, was her work on the screenplay for Ranown, which became the basis for Alien 3.
#### Notable Works or Actions
Leigh Brackett made significant contributions to various media platforms. Her writing often explored themes of human nature, societal issues, and the consequences of technological advancements. Some notable works include:
The Big Jump: A novel that takes place in space colonies and explores life outside Earth.
The Long Tomorrow: A classic science fiction tale about a man who travels back in time to prevent war.
The Guardians of Time: A fantasy adventure series.
Brackett was also an influential figure behind the scenes. Her work on Alien 3 has been widely recognized, but her contributions to other projects remain relatively unknown.
#### Impact and Legacy
Leigh Brackett's legacy extends far beyond her published works. As one of the pioneering female authors in science fiction, she paved the way for future generations of women writers. Her writing often tackled tough issues such as war, technology, and societal expectations.
Her work has influenced many prominent authors, including Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury, who have cited her as an inspiration. Brackett's influence can also be seen in modern science fiction and fantasy, where themes of human nature and technological advancements remain prevalent.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Leigh Brackett is widely quoted and remembered for her pioneering work in the science fiction genre. Her writing tackled tough issues such as war, technology, and societal expectations, making her a significant figure in the literary world.
Quotes by Leigh Brackett
A hard-boiled little lamb going to talk a lot of lions out of their dinner, Comyn told himself grimly.
There’s never been an act done since the beginning, from a kid stealing candy to a dictator committing genocide, that the person doing it didn’t think he was fully justified. That’s a mental trick called rationalizing, and it’s done the human race more harm than anything else you can name.
I know now what lies across the land, the slow and heavy weight. They call it faith, but it is not faith. It is fear. The people have clapped a shelter over their heads, a necessity of ignorance, a passion of retreat, and they have called it God, and worshiped it.
Whether it was the stimulus of the radio, or simply that he was growing up, or both, he saw everything about him in a new way, as though he had managed to get a little distance off so that his sight wasn’t blurred by being too close.
Love is like the measles; the older you are when it hits you, the harder it takes. Cheer up, you won’t die of it.
Len Colter sat in the shade under the wall of the horse barn, eating pone and sweet butter and contemplating a sin.
Plot is people. Human emotions and desires founded on the realities of life, working at cross purposes, getting hotter and fiercer as they strike against each other until finally there’s an explosion-that’s Plot.
Plot is people. Human emotions and desires founded on the realities of life, working at cross purposes, getting hotter and fiercer as they strike against each other until finally there's an explosion-that's Plot.
David will never go to space again. I'm glad.What did it gain the McQuarries? What has it ever gained men? Have men ever brought back more happiness from the stars? Will they ever?