Timeline of science fiction
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.
2nd century
Year | Event | Historical events |
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10th century
Year | Event | Historical events |
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13th century
Year | Event | Historical events |
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c. 1270 |
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15th century
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. |
17th century
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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18th century
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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19th century
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 |
1900s
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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1910s
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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1920s
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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1920 |
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1921 |
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1922 |
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1923 |
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1924 |
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1925 |
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1926 |
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1927 |
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1928 |
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1929 |
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1930s
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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1940s
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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1950s
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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1960s
Year | Event | Historical events |
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1960 |
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1961 |
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1962 |
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1963 |
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1964 |
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1965 |
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1966 |
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1967 |
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1968 |
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1969 |
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1970s
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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1980s
Year | Event | Historical events |
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1980 |
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1981 |
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1982 |
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1983 |
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1984 |
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1985 |
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1986 |
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1987 |
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1988 |
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1989 |
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1990s
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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2000s
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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2010s
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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