Harry Harrison

Harry Harrison was a prolific American science fiction author, best known for his sharp wit, imaginative world-building, and satirical style. Born in 1925 in Stamford, Connecticut, he began his career in illustration and comic book writing before transitioning fully into fiction. Over several decades, Harrison became one of the genre's most popular writers, producing a vast body of work that often explored themes of political corruption, environmental collapse, and human resilience—with humor and irony woven throughout.

Among his most famous works are the "Stainless Steel Rat" series and "Make Room! Make Room!"—the latter of which inspired the 1973 dystopian film Soylent Green. As an author, Harry Harrison was known for blending action with social critique, making his stories both entertaining and thought-provoking. He also worked as an editor and translator, promoting international science fiction and helping expand the genre’s reach beyond English-speaking audiences.

One of his most quoted lines is: “The principle of Sturgeon's Law applies here—90 percent of everything is crud.” Another well-known quote reflects his satirical outlook: “Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim.” These quotes highlight Harrison’s sharp intelligence and skepticism of authority, which defined his narrative voice and made his contributions to science fiction both memorable and enduring.