Jack McDevitt
Jack McDevitt
b. 14 April 1935 · Citizen of United States- Books
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Jack McDevitt (born 1935) is an American science fiction author best known for novels of alien contact and xenoarchaeology.
He studied at La Salle University, served in the Navy, drove a cab, taught English and worked as a customs inspector before returning to writing in 1980 at his wife Maureen's urging; his first story, "The Emerson Effect", appeared in The Twilight Zone Magazine in 1981.
His novels follow two recurring casts: relic hunter Alex Benedict and his pilot Chase Kolpath, beginning with A Talent for War, and the Academy series' pilot Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins, beginning with The Engines of God. Seeker won the 2006 Nebula Award for Best Novel, and he received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for lifetime achievement in 2015.
He lives near Brunswick, Georgia.
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Frequently asked questions
Many readers suggest starting with "The Engines of God" as it introduces his signature blend of scientific mystery and exploration, setting the tone for much of his work.
Jack McDevitt is known for several series, including the Alex Benedict series, which follows an antiquarian in a future where humanity has spread across the stars, and the Priscilla Hutchins series, focusing on a starship pilot.
Jack McDevitt has received the Nebula Award for his novel "Seeker" and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for "Omega."
McDevitt is recognized for his "sense of wonder" approach to science fiction, often exploring themes of first contact, archaeological mysteries in space, and the vastness of the universe with a focus on plausible scientific concepts.