Stephen Baxter was born in Liverpool, England, in 1957. He is a trained engineer with degrees from Cambridge (mathematics) and Southhampton Universities (doctorate in aeroengineering research). He worked as a teacher of mathematics and physics, and for several years in information technology. In 1991 he applied to become a cosmonaut—aiming for the spot on Mir eventually taken by Helen Sharman—but fell at an early hurdle. He has been a fulltime author since 1995.

Baxter is the author of over 30 books, all published in the U.S. and U.K., and several in Germany, Japan, France, and other countries. His novel Voyage was dramatized by Audio Movies for BBC Radio in 1999. His novel Timelike Infinity and his short story “Pilot” are both currently under development for feature films. His TV and movie work includes development work on the BBC’s Invasion: Earth and the script for the Episode 3 of Space Island One, broadcast on Sky One in January 1998. His nonfiction includes the books Deep Future and Omegatropic.

Baxter is the winner of both the British Science Fiction Award and the Locus Award, as well as being a multiple nominee for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, most recently for Manifold: Time. His novel Voyage won the Sidewise Award for Best Alternate History Novel of the Year; he also won the John W. Campbell Award and the Philip K. Dick Award for his novel The Time Ships. Several of his short stories have won prizes, including the Writers of the Future contest.

He is a lifetime supporter of Liverpool FC, the English Premiership football team.

Literary Awards won by Stephen Baxter: