Douglas Adams

Author

Douglas Adams was a British author, humorist, and self-described "radical atheist" whose works — above all The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy — have achieved a rare status: beloved by millions, endlessly quotable, and as funny and relevant today as when they were first written. He is widely regarded as one of the funniest writers in... the English language. Born in Cambridge in 1952, Adams was educated at Brentwood School and St John's College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the Footlights dramatic club alongside writers and performers who would go on to shape British comedy. After university, he struggled to establish himself, taking on a string of odd jobs — including working as a bodyguard, barn builder, and hospital porter — before his break came when he was hired as a scriptwriter for Doctor Who. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy began as a BBC Radio 4 series in 1978, telling the story of Arthur Dent, an ordinary Englishman who escapes the Earth's destruction by hitching a ride with his friend Ford Prefect, an alien researcher for the titular Guide. The radio series was a sensation, and Adams expanded it into a series of five novels — the "increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhiker's Trilogy" — that became international bestsellers. The books are celebrated for their absurdist humour, philosophical depth, and extraordinary invention. The number 42 (the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything), the Babel Fish, and the depressed robot Marvin have all entered popular culture. Adams had a rare gift for making the cosmic feel intimate and the mundane feel ridiculous. He also wrote the Dirk Gently novels — Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul — which blend detective fiction with science fiction and the supernatural in uniquely Adams-ian fashion. The audiobook editions of Adams's works, including those read by the author himself and by Stephen Fry, are hugely popular and widely considered definitive. Adams's own deadpan delivery perfectly matches his writing, and Fry's narration of the Hitchhiker's series brings warmth and comic precision to every line. Adams was also a passionate environmental campaigner, particularly for endangered species. His non-fiction book Last Chance to See, co-written with zoologist Mark Carwardine, documented their travels to find some of the world's rarest animals. Douglas Adams died suddenly of a heart attack in 2001 at the age of forty-nine. His books and audiobooks continue to sell in enormous quantities, and his influence on comedy, science fiction, and popular culture is immeasurable. Read more Show less