HG Wells had rather extreme views in every respect. For some time he was a prominent Fabian and supported many socialist ideas that many still have problems with. His views on human nature were pessimistic, the future was an eventual disappointment, but his writing is of the kind that can capture the attention of many people of all ages and walks of life and draw attention to his ideas, which he did to great effect. What makes these books so fascinating? To answer questions like these, it's essential to know the life of the man behind the books. Herbert George Wells was born on September 21, 1866 into a lower-middle-class family. He worked hard as both a student and an assistant in multiple jobs before moving to London on a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Science. It was here that he met “Darwin's Bulldog,” the eminent biologist T. H. Huxley, a man whose views helped shape Wells's for the rest of his life. Instead of becoming a biologist as Huxley recommended, he instead became a teacher and overworked himself until he fell into poor health. On doctor's orders, he went to the south coast of England to rest until he ran out of money and returned to London. It was around this time that he met Frank Harris, editor of the Saturday Review newspaper, and began his career as both a novelist and journalist. For the rest of his life he wrote steadily, averaging little more than one book a year. Following his writing, one can see four distinct styles emerge in all of this. It initially went through a science fiction phase containing books such as The Time Machine, War of the Worlds and The Invisible Man. The second phase contained his “humorous Dickensian novel… half sheet… accomplished. This was HG Wells. Works Cited Belloc, Hilaire. “A Companion to the “Historical Profile” of Mr. Wells.” Twentieth Century Literary Criticism: Volume 6. Detroit, Michigan: Book Tower, 1982. 522. Print.Haynes, Roslynn D. “Wells' Scientific Education: Scientist or Visionary?” Twentieth Century Literary Criticism: Volume 6. Detroit, Michigan: Book Tower, 1982. 522. Print."HG Wells." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. ND. Network. February 17, 2012.Verne, Jules. "Jules Verne at home." Twentieth Century Literary Criticism: Volume 6. Detroit, Michigan: Book Tower, 1982. 522. Print.Wells, H. G. The Time Machine. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1978. Print.—. The War of the Worlds. Aerie Books Ltd., 1993. Print."Wells, Herbert George." Authors of the twentieth century; A biographical dictionary of modern literature: first edition. NP 1942. Print.