Mildred L. Patten

Mildred L. Patten, the “Grande Dame of Science Fiction”, is considered one of the seminal figures in the field of science fiction writing. One of the earliest female science fiction writers in the United States, Patten has been credited with initiating what is now considered to be a “golden age” of science fiction.

Her first sci-fi novel was The Edge of Time, published in 1951 when she was only 33 years old. The book was a critical success, and has remained in print ever since. It tells the story of a scientist who discovers a way to travel back in time, only to find himself in trouble when he inadvertently disturbs the timestream.

A prolific writer, Mildred L. Patten wrote over 20 novels and many short stories in her lifetime. She is best known for her 1950s trilogy –The Edge of Time, Star-Rise, and Door to Elsewhen. This trilogy deals with Dr. John Barclay, a scientist who develops a time-travel machine and is involved in a series of adventures in alternate universes, or “Elsewheres”.

In her writing, Patten was heavily influenced by such authors as H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, and Edgar Rice Burroughs. She has been credited with pioneering the concept of science fiction as a “literary genre” and introducing new elements to the genre, such as exotic settings, time travel, alternate worlds and realities, and sophisticated characters.

Patten’s work was also unique in its approach to the genre. In 1958, she wrote the novel The Edge of Infinity, which was strongly influenced by the writings of Arthur C. Clarke. This book, which has been described as “a classic of cosmology”, speculates on the possibility of intelligent life in outer space and imagines a universe in which all possible forms of planet life could coexist.

However, Patten’s writing isn’t just about scientific speculation; she often uses it as a tool to comment on humanity and explore the themes of love, death, and faith. Her writing is also notable for its strong feminist themes, as evidenced in her 1978 novel Run From Time, which follows the story of a female scientist who rebels against a patriarchal society by utilizing time travel to resolve her own problems.

Mildred L. Patten may be one of the lesser-known authors in the fields of science fiction and fantasy, but her influence on the genre is undeniable. Her stories are creative and thought-provoking and demonstrate her love for the sciences. Her writing is a testament to the genre, and to the influence of a once-shy author who has since become one of science fiction’s greatest pioneers.