Jules Verne (1823-1905) was a French author celebrated for his groundbreaking novels of adventure and exploration. Often referred to as the Father of Science Fiction, Verne began to write as a teen, although this caused friction with his father, who wanted him to inherit his law practice. The author thought to create a new kind of fiction, a 'novel of science' in which he might describe and celebrate wonders of the earth and sky. His success in this aim is attested to by his novels, including such works as Journey to the Center of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
