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Glen David Brin

グレン・デイヴィッド・ブリン

Glen David Brin

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1950-10-06 （Glendale, California, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Judaism
Residence History
San Diego County, California (as of 2022)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Scientist, NASA consultant, Futurist
Active Years
1980-
Affiliations
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (fellow), NASA Innovative and Advanced Concepts advisory board, Museum of Science Fiction (Board of Advisors)

Education

California Institute of Technology
Astronomy (B.S.)
Degree: B.S.
Period: 〜1973
Year of Graduation: 1973
Country: United States
Bachelor of Science in Astronomy
University of California, San Diego
Electrical Engineering (Optics) M.S.
Degree: M.S.
Period: 〜1978
Year of Graduation: 1978
Country: United States
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Optics)
University of California, San Diego
Astronomy (Ph.D.)
Degree: Ph.D.
Period: 〜1981
Year of Graduation: 1981
Country: United States
Ph.D. thesis: 'Evolution of cometary nuclei as influenced by a dust component' (1981)

Awards

Nebula Award for Best Novel
1984
Work: Startide Rising
Organization: Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: winner
Hugo Award for Best Novel
1984
Work: Startide Rising
Organization: Worldcon (Hugo Awards)
Result: winner
Hugo Award for Best Novel
1988
Work: The Uplift War
Organization: Worldcon (Hugo Awards)
Result: winner
Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel
1984
Work: Startide Rising
Organization: Locus Magazine
Result: winner
Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel
1986
Work: The Postman
Organization: Locus Magazine
Result: winner
Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel
1988
Work: The Uplift War
Organization: Locus Magazine
Result: winner
Inkpot Award
1985
Organization: Comic-Con International
Result: winner
Hugo Award for Best Short Story
1985
Organization: Worldcon (Hugo Awards)
Result: winner
Eli M. Oboler Award for Intellectual Freedom
1998
Work: The Transparent Society
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: winner
John W. Campbell Memorial Award
1986
Work: The Postman
Organization: John W. Campbell Memorial Award committee
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Sundiver

1980 Hard science fiction

The first novel of the Uplift sequence, dealing with mysteries of the solar environment and contact with extraterrestrial intelligences.

solar explorationevolution of specieshierarchies of civilization

Startide Rising

1983 Hard science fiction

Set in the Uplift universe, chronicles a large-scale adventure involving humanity and uplifted dolphins encountering profound mysteries; celebrated for its scope and scientific grounding.

evolution and upliftinter-species relationsspace exploration

The Uplift War

1987 Hard science fiction

A Uplift novel set largely on Earth focusing on conflict, diplomacy, and struggles over species survival.

war and diplomacyrights of speciespolitical conflict

The Postman

1985 Post-apocalyptic science fiction

Set in post-collapse America, follows a man posing as a mail carrier who becomes a symbol of hope and order. Adapted into a 1997 film starring Kevin Costner.

civilization and rebuildinghope and leadershipsocial order
Adaptations
  • [Feature film] The Postman (film) / Kevin Costner (1997)

Earth

1990 Hard science fiction / Environmental SF

A novel about planetary-scale environmental crises and technological and social change; noted for prescient depictions of contemporary trends and technologies.

environmental issuestechnology and societyforesight

Bibliography

  • Sundiver (1980)
  • Startide Rising (1983)
  • The Practice Effect (1984)
  • The Postman (1985)
  • Earth (1990)
  • Glory Season (1993)
  • Kiln People (2002)
  • Existence (2012)
  • Colony High (2021)

Adaptations

  • The Postman — 1997 feature film adaptation (starring Kevin Costner)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Hard-SF detailed scientific expositionengaging treatment of social and political issueslarge-scale worldbuilding
Recurring Motifs
species uplift and evolutiontensions between technology and privacycivilizational rebuilding and ethics

Legacy

David Brin is an American science fiction author known for the Uplift series, The Postman, and Earth. He has won multiple major SF awards (Hugo, Nebula, Locus) and his work has influenced film and even had a minor planet named after him.

Academic Societies

  • Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (affiliation)

In Popular Culture

  • Film adaptation of The Postman (1997) which increased public visibility
  • Minor planet 5748 Davebrin named in his honor

Trivia

  • His grandfather was reportedly drafted into the Russian army and fought in the Russo-Japanese War.
  • Minor planet 5748 Davebrin is named after him.
  • Resided in San Diego County (as of 2022).