George R. Stewart

Easton Press George R. Stewart books

Earth Abides - Masterpieces of Science Fiction - 1991

The Day After Doomsday Collection (5 volume set) - 2009
including titles:
Earth Abides
I Am Legend
On The Beach
Alas, Babylon
Lucifer's Hammer

 

 

George R. Stewart biography

George Rippey Stewart, a distinguished American novelist, historian, and academic, was born on May 31, 1895, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Raised in a scholarly environment, Stewart developed a deep love for literature, history, and the natural world from an early age. After completing his undergraduate studies at Princeton University, Stewart went on to earn his master's degree in English literature from the University of California, Berkeley. He then pursued doctoral studies at Columbia University, where he focused on American literature and received his Ph.D. in 1922. Stewart's academic career began at the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught English literature for over three decades. During his tenure, he also served as the department chair and became known for his interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Stewart was a prolific writer, producing works that spanned various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. He gained widespread acclaim for his historical novels, such as Buckskin Man (1938) and Doctor's Oral (1939), which vividly depicted the American frontier experience. Stewart's most famous work, however, is the ecological novel Earth Abides (1949), which explores the aftermath of a global pandemic that wipes out most of humanity. The novel follows the protagonist, Isherwood Williams, as he navigates a world devoid of civilization and grapples with questions of survival, identity, and the meaning of existence. Earth Abides received critical praise for its thought-provoking themes and its realistic portrayal of post-apocalyptic society.

In addition to his fiction writing, Stewart made significant contributions to the field of environmental history with his seminal work "Names on the Land: A Historical Account of Place-Naming in the United States" (1945). This groundbreaking book examines the origins and meanings of place names across America, tracing their cultural, linguistic, and historical significance. Stewart's passion for the natural world also led him to write several works of natural history, including Storm (1941), a pioneering study of weather patterns and meteorology. His ability to blend scientific inquiry with literary craftsmanship earned him a reputation as one of the leading voices in the field of nature writing.

Throughout his career, Stewart received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to literature and scholarship, including the John Burroughs Medal for distinguished natural history writing. He passed away on August 22, 1980, leaving behind a rich and diverse body of work that continues to inspire readers and scholars to this day. George R. Stewart's legacy as a writer, educator, and environmentalist endures, ensuring his place among the most celebrated figures in American letters.