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Robert Heinlein
L’attuale generazione di scienziati e di ingegneri, con anni di esperienza nel campo dell’esplorazione spaziale, ammette senza problemi di essere stata ispirata dalla fantascienza, oltre che naturalmente dal successo delle prime imprese spaziali. Io sono fra questi. Avevo sette anni quando Neil Armstrong camminò sulla Luna, undici quando incominciai a leggere le opere di <anchor>Robert Heinlein</anchor>, Arthur C. Clarke e Isaac Asimov e circa tredici quando decisi che avrei studiato fisica, in modo da poter lavorare alla NASA. E non sono certo il solo.
Robert A. Heinlein | Science fiction, Futurist, Novelist | Britannica
Robert A. Heinlein \| Science fiction, Futurist, Novelist \| Britannica

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[Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-A-Heinlein)

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Introduction
[References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-A-Heinlein/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](/facts/Robert-A-Heinlein)

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[![Heinlein, Robert A.](https://cdn.britannica.com/06/161006-004-B425C7F9/books-Robert-A-Heinlein-Kansas-City-Missouri-1976.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/06/161006-004-B425C7F9/books-Robert-A-Heinlein-Kansas-City-Missouri-1976.jpg)

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[Literature](/browse/Literature)[Novels & Short Stories](/browse/Novels-Short-Stories)[Novelists A-K](/browse/Novelists-A-K)

[![](https://cdn.britannica.com/06/161006-004-B425C7F9/books-Robert-A-Heinlein-Kansas-City-Missouri-1976.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/06/161006-004-B425C7F9/books-Robert-A-Heinlein-Kansas-City-Missouri-1976.jpg)

[Heinlein, Robert A.](https://cdn.britannica.com/06/161006-004-B425C7F9/books-Robert-A-Heinlein-Kansas-City-Missouri-1976.jpg) Robert A. Heinlein autographing books in Kansas City, Missouri, 1976. (more)

# Robert A. Heinlein

American author



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External Websites


- [Mises Institute - Was Robert A. Heinlein a Libertarian?](https://mises.org/mises-daily/was-robert-heinlein-libertarian)
- [Official Site of the Heinlein Society](https://www.heinleinsociety.org/)
- [The State Historical Society of Missouri - Historic Missourians - Biography of Robert Anson Heinlein](https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/robert-heinlein/)
- [The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction - Robert A Heinlein](https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/heinlein_robert_a)
- [Libertarianism.org - Out of This World: A Biography of Robert Heinlein](https://www.libertarianism.org/publications/essays/out-world-biography-robert-heinlein)

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

- [Robert A. Heinlein - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Robert-A-Heinlein/274824)

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- [Mises Institute - Was Robert A. Heinlein a Libertarian?](https://mises.org/mises-daily/was-robert-heinlein-libertarian)
- [Official Site of the Heinlein Society](https://www.heinleinsociety.org/)
- [The State Historical Society of Missouri - Historic Missourians - Biography of Robert Anson Heinlein](https://historicmissourians.shsmo.org/robert-heinlein/)
- [The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction - Robert A Heinlein](https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/heinlein_robert_a)
- [Libertarianism.org - Out of This World: A Biography of Robert Heinlein](https://www.libertarianism.org/publications/essays/out-world-biography-robert-heinlein)

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

- [Robert A. Heinlein - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Robert-A-Heinlein/274824)

Also known as: Robert Anson Heinlein


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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.](/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419)

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• [Article History](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-A-Heinlein/additional-info#history)


Table of Contents


Quick Facts

In full: Robert Anson Heinlein_(Show more)_

Born: July 7, 1907, Butler, [Missouri](/place/Missouri-state), U.S._(Show more)_

Died: May 8, 1988, [Carmel](/place/Carmel-California), [California](/place/California-state) (aged 80)_(Show more)_

Awards And Honors: [Hugo Award (1962)](/art/Hugo-Award)_(Show more)_

Notable Works: [“Life-Line”](/topic/Life-Line-story-by-Heinlein)[“Stranger in a Strange Land”](/topic/Stranger-in-a-Strange-Land)_(Show more)_

[See all related content →](/facts/Robert-A-Heinlein)

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**Robert A. Heinlein** (born July 7, 1907, Butler, [Missouri](https://www.britannica.com/place/Missouri-state), U.S.—died May 8, 1988, [Carmel](https://www.britannica.com/place/Carmel-California), California) was a [prolific](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolific) American writer considered to be one of the most literary and sophisticated of science-fiction writers. He did much to develop the [genre](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genre).

After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929 and serving in the navy for five years, Heinlein pursued graduate studies in [physics](https://www.britannica.com/science/physics-science) and [mathematics](https://www.britannica.com/science/mathematics) at the [University of California](https://www.britannica.com/topic/University-of-California), Los Angeles. Except for engineering service with the navy during [World War II](https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II), he was an established professional writer from 1939.

His first story, “Life-Line,” was published in the action-adventure pulp magazine _Astounding Science_ _Fiction._ He continued to write for that publication—along with other notable science-fiction writers—until 1942, when he began war work as an engineer. Heinlein returned to writing in 1947, with an eye toward a more [sophisticated](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/sophisticated) audience. His first book, _Rocket Ship Galileo_ (1947), was followed by a large number of novels and story collections, including works for children and young adults. After the 1940s he largely avoided shorter fiction. His popularity grew over the years, probably reaching its peak after the publication of his best-known work, _[Stranger in a Strange Land](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stranger-in-a-Strange-Land)_ (1961). His broad interests and concern for characterization as well as technology brought him a considerable number of admirers among general-interest readers. Among his more popular books are _The Green Hills of Earth_ (1951), _Double Star_ (1956), _The Door into Summer_ (1957), _Citizen of the Galaxy_ (1957), and _Methuselah’s Children_ (1958).

This article was most recently revised and updated by [Encyclopaedia Britannica](/contributor/encyclopaedia-britannica/12989892).