French born poet, playwright and novelist Jules Verne was born on this day in 1828 in Nantes. Considered a Father of modern science fiction he is the second most translated author in the world next to Agatha Christie. His novels have never gone out of print and remain on the best of lists around the world.
His first works were not of fiction at all, but were plays produced with the help of Alexandre Dumas. He wrote between 1850 up until his death in 1905. It is interesting to note that his novels were not translated into English until 1852. Here is a short list of his most well known works:
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Around the World in Eighty Days
The Mysterious Island
Five Weeks in a Balloon
Master of the World
Off on a Comet