Anne McCaffrey

Anne McCaffrey was an acclaimed American-Irish author, best known for her work in the science fiction, fantasy, and planetary romance genres. She is most famous for her Dragonriders of Pern series and the novel, The Ship Who Sang. Born on April 1, 1926, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, McCaffrey was the daughter of George Herbert McCaffrey, a Columbia University graduate and Colonel in the U.S. Army, and Anne Dorothy McElroy McCaffrey, an estate agent. She was educated at Stuart Hall in Staunton, Virginia, Montclair High School in Montclair, New Jersey, and graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College, majoring in Slavonic Languages and Literatures.

McCaffrey's writing career began in earnest after her children were in school, and her first story was published by Sam Moskowitz in Science Fiction + Magazine. Her first novel, Restoree, was published by Ballantine Books in 1967 and marked a significant moment in her career. The novel was written as a protest against the portrayals of women in science fiction novels of the time, which McCaffrey found to be unrealistic and stereotypical. Restoree was followed by many successful novels, including those in the Dragonriders of Pern series and The Ship Who Sang, which showcased McCaffrey's talents for storytelling and world-building.

McCaffrey's work received widespread recognition and acclaim, earning her numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. She was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2006, and her contributions to the genre have been celebrated by fans and peers alike. McCaffrey passed away on November 21, 2011, at the age of 85, after suffering a massive stroke. Her legacy as a groundbreaking and influential author lives on, and her work continues to inspire and captivate readers around the world.