This is a timeline of science fiction as a literary tradition. While the date of the start of science fiction is debated, this list includes a range of Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance-era precursors and proto-science fiction as well, as long as these examples include typical science fiction themes and topoi such as travel to outer space and encounter with alien life-forms.
Year | Event | Historical events |
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Year | Event | Historical events |
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c. 1270 |
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Year | Event | Historical events |
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1420 |
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Some 15th century writers imitated the 14th century author Geoffrey Chaucer (1340 -1400), such as John Lydgate and Thomas Hoccleve. Notable poets include Stephen Hawes, Alexander Barclay, William Dunbar, Robert Henryson, and Gawin Douglas. John Skelton wrote ironic and satirical works which blended Medieval and Renaissance styles. |
![]() Title page of the 1628 edition of Bacon's New Atlantis | |
Author | Francis Bacon |
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Country | United Kingdom |
Language | Latin/English |
Genre | Utopian novel |
Publication date | 1624/1626 |
Media type | Print (hardback) |
Pages | 46 pp |
Text | New Atlantis at Wikisource |
Year | Event | Historical events |
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1619 |
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1623 |
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1627 |
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1634 |
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1638 |
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1656 | ||
1657 |
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1666 |
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1686 |
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Year | Event | Historical events |
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1726 |
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1733 |
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1741 |
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1752 |
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1765 |
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1771 |
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1780 |
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First edition cover | |
Author | H. G. Wells |
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Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Genre | Science fiction |
Publisher | Heinemann, Stone & Kimball |
Publication date | 1896 |
Media type | Print (hardcover) |
Pages | 209 p. |
Preceded by | The Wonderful Visit |
Followed by | The Wheels of Chance |
Text | The Island of Doctor Moreau at Wikisource |
Year | Event | Historical events |
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1900 |
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1901 |
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1902 |
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1903 |
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1905 |
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1907 |
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1909 |
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![]() Serialized in Modern Electrics | |
Author | Hugo Gernsback |
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Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre | Science fiction novel |
Publication date | 1911 |
Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
Preceded by | none |
Followed by | none |
Year | Event | Historical events |
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1910 |
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1911 |
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1912 |
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1913 |
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1914 |
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1915 |
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1916 |
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1917 |
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1918 |
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1919 |
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![]() Cover of the pulp magazine Amazing Stories, featuring Master Mind of Mars | |
Author | Edgar Rice Burroughs |
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Cover artist | Frank R. Paul |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Subject | Barsoom |
Genre | Science fiction |
Preceded by | The Chessmen of Mars |
Followed by | A Fighting Man of Mars |
Text | [[s:The Master Mind of Mars|The Master Mind of Mars]] at Wikisource |
Year | Event | Historical events |
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1930 |
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1931 |
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1932 |
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1933 |
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1934 |
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1935 |
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1936 |
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1937 |
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1938 |
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1939 |
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Year | Event | Historical events |
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1940 |
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1941 |
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1942 |
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1943 |
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1944 |
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1945 |
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1946 |
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1947 |
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1948 |
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1949 |
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Year | Event | Historical events |
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1950 |
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1951 |
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1952 |
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1953 |
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1954 |
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1955 |
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1956 |
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1957 |
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1958 |
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1959 |
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Year | Event | Historical events |
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1970 |
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1971 |
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1972 |
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1973 |
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1974 |
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1975 |
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1976 |
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1977 |
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1978 |
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1979 |
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Year | Event | Historical events |
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1990 |
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1991 |
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1992 |
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1993 |
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1994 |
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1995 |
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1996 |
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1997 |
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1998 |
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1999 |
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Year | Event | Historical events |
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2000 |
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2001 |
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2002 |
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2003 |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2009 |
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Year | Event | Historical events |
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2010 |
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2011 |
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2012 |
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2013 |
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2014 |
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2015 |
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2016 |
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2017 |
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2018 |
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2019 |
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