William Olaf Stapledon - known as Olaf Stapledon - was a British philosopher and author of several influential works of science fiction. Stapledon’s writings directly influenced C.S. Lewis, John Maynard Smith, Arthur C. Clarke, Bertrand Russell, and indirectly influenced many others.

“Olaf Stapledon was one of the most creative thinkers of our time. His influence on philosophy and science fiction is incalculable.” - Greg Bear

One moment a man sits on a suburban hill, gazing curiously at the stars. The next, he is whirling through the firmament and perhaps the most remarkable of all science fiction journeys has begun. Even Stapledon’s other great work, Last and First Men, pales in ambition next to Star Maker, which is nothing less than a history of life in the universe, encompassing billions of years.