Dick, Philip K. (1928-1982), was an American science-fiction writer. His works often feature common science-fiction elements, such as alien beings, alternate universes, and humanlike machines called androids. But his best works reflect his philosophical ideas and his concern with character rather than with action or gadgetry.
Dick’s most popular novel, The Man in the High Castle (1962), is an alternate history in which the Germans and Japanese have won World War II and occupied the United States. In Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968), a bounty hunter hired to kill escaped androids begins to feel sympathy for them. Later novels reflect Dick’s concern with religion. In VALIS (1981), a character resembling the author believes he has received enlightenment from a godlike source. His other major fiction includes the novels Dr. Bloodmoney (1965) and Ubik (1969). The Library of America published his novels in three volumes (2007-2009). Dick’s short fiction was published in The Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick (1987).
Philip Kindred Dick was born on Dec. 16, 1928, in Chicago. His essay “Man, Android and Machine” (1976) takes up key themes in his fiction, such as reality versus illusion. Dick died on March 2, 1982.
