Philip Wylie (1902-1971) was born in Massachusetts and raised in Monclair, New Jersey. He wrote novels, screenplays, short stories, and works of nonfiction: these included newspaper columns, social criticism, and essays for periodicals like Harper's Magazine, Saturday Evening Post, and Playboy. His interest in science - he was peripherally involved in the creation of the Atomic Energy Commission - paired with an interest in psychology led him to write often in the genre of science fiction. More than nine movies were made from his novels or stories, including When Worlds Collide; his work for the screen included co-writing Island of Lost Souls for Paramount. His most notorious book, a scathing collection of essays on 1940s American culture titled Generation of Vipers, is also available from Dalkey Archive Press.