Philip Francis Nowlan
Biography
Philip Francis Nowlan (1888–1940) was an American science fiction author best known as the creator of Buck Rogers, one of the most iconic characters in American popular culture. Born in Philadelphia, he worked as a newspaper columnist before creating the character Anthony "Buck" Rogers in the novella Armageddon 2419 A.D., published in Amazing Stories in 1928. The sequel, The Airlords of Han (1929), continued the story. Buck Rogers became a comic strip, radio show, and eventually a television series, establishing many conventions of space opera and futuristic adventure fiction.
Common themes in Philip Francis Nowlan's work
Buck Rogers
A recurring theme throughout Philip Francis Nowlan's writing.
Science fiction pioneer
A recurring theme throughout Philip Francis Nowlan's writing.
Space opera
A recurring theme throughout Philip Francis Nowlan's writing.
Futuristic adventure
A recurring theme throughout Philip Francis Nowlan's writing.
Books
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Why Philip Francis Nowlan is still read today
Nowlan created Buck Rogers, one of the foundational characters of American science fiction. His novellas established many conventions of space opera and futuristic adventure that influenced the genre for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Philip Francis Nowlan?
Philip Francis Nowlan (1888–1940) was the American author who created Buck Rogers, one of the most iconic science fiction characters in popular culture.
What are his major works?
Armageddon 2419 A.D. and The Airlords of Han. Both are available free on TextStack.
How did Buck Rogers start?
As a novella in Amazing Stories magazine in 1928, then became a comic strip, radio show, and TV series.
Where can I read Nowlan free?
TextStack offers both Buck Rogers novellas to read free online.
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