Jack Vance

"An American writer of mystery, fantasy, and science fiction, he is famous for his Dying Earth series, as well as for award-winning works such as The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle. In 1984, he won the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. Before Fame He worked as a rigger at the Kaiser Shipyard in Richmond, California. He published his first science fiction novella, Son of the Tree, in 1951. Born August 28, 1916, Died May 26, 2013 (age 96)"