JERRY POURNELLE (1933-2017) was an essayist, journalist, and science fiction author. He had advanced degrees in psychology, statistics, engineering, and political science. As a science fiction author, he is best known for his many collaborations with Larry Niven, including Inferno, Beowulf's Children and The Mote in God's Eye.

Pournelle was the first ever winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best new Writer in 1973.