The Secret Places of the Heart

The maid was a young woman of great natural calmness; she was accustomed to let in visitors who had this air of being annoyed and finding one umbrella too numerous for them. It mattered nothing to her that the gentleman was asking for Dr. Martineau as if he was asking for something with an unpleasant taste. Almost imperceptibly she relieved him of his umbrella and juggled his hat and coat on to a massive mahogany stand. "What name, Sir?" she asked, holding open the door of the consulting room. "Hardy," said the gentleman, and then yielding it reluctantly with its distasteful three-year-old honour, "Sir Richmond Hardy."

H.G. Wells, born on September 21, 1866, in Bromley, England, became one of the most influential English writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often referred to as the "father of science fiction," his works like The War of the Worlds (1898) and The Time Machine (1895) introduced pioneering ideas about time travel, alien invasions, and humanity's future. His writings often tackled social issues, including class inequality, technology, and human progress, blending adventure with philosophical exploration.Wells studied biology at the Normal School of Science in London under Thomas Henry Huxley and worked as a teacher before turning to writing. His early novels were shaped by scientific advancements and often warned of the potential dangers of unchecked experimentation. Works like The Invisible Man (1897) and The Island of Doctor Moreau (1896) explored the moral and ethical consequences of science, while his utopian writings envisioned a more ideal future.Beyond fiction, Wells was an outspoken political activist, advocating for social reforms and global peace. He critiqued capitalism and imperialism in works like The Shape of Things to Come (1933), outlining his vision for a world government. Despite some political setbacks, Wells continued to shape literature and political thought, leaving a legacy that still influences science fiction and speculative writing today.