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David Brin

b. 1950

American scientist and science fiction author (born 1950)

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About David Brin

Born 1950. David Brin is an American astronomer, astrophysicist, novelist, writer, screenwriter and science fiction writer.

Glen David Brin (born October 6, 1950) is an American science fiction author. He has won the Hugo, Locus, Campbell and Nebula Awards. His novel The Postman was adapted into a 1997 feature film starring Kevin Costner.

Early life and education Brin was born October 6, 1950, in Glendale, California, to Jewish parents Selma and Herb Brin. He graduated from the California Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in astronomy, in 1973. At the University of California, San Diego, he earned a Master of Science in electrical engineering (optics) in 1978 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in astronomy in 1981.

Career From 1983 to 1986, he was a postdoctoral research fellow at the California Space Institute, of the University of California, at the San Diego campus in La Jolla. He helped establish the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination at UCSD. He serves on the advisory board of NASA's Innovative and Advanced Concepts group and frequently does futurist consulting for corporations and government agencies.

As of 2013, he served on the Board of Advisors for the Museum of Science Fiction.

Personal life Brin has Polish Jewish ancestry, from the area around Konin. His grandfather was drafted into the Russian army and fought in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905.

As of 2022, Brin was living in San Diego County, California, with his wife and children.

Works Most of Brin's fiction is categorized as hard science fiction, in that they apply some degree of plausible scientific or technological change as important plot elements. About half of Brin's works are in his Uplift Universe. These have twice won the Hugo Award for Best Novel.

Much of Brin's work outside the Uplift series focuses on technology's effects on human society.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
California Institute of Technology, University of California, San Diego
Awards
Nebula Award for Best Novel; Hugo Award for Best Novel; Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel; Inkpot Award; Hugo Award for Best Short Story; John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel; Locus Award for Best Novelette; Locus Award for Best Collection
Also known as
Glen David Brin

People in David Brin's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped David Brin's

Frequently asked questions

Who is David Brin?

American scientist and science fiction author (born 1950)

When was David Brin born?

David Brin was born on 6 October 1950 in Glendale.

What is David Brin's occupation?

David Brin is an astronomer, astrophysicist, novelist, writer, screenwriter and science fiction writer.

What nationality is David Brin?

David Brin is American.

Sources & further reading

Β· Wikipedia: David Brin

Β· Wikidata: Q315069

Β· DBpedia: David Brin

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Brin. https://biography.guide/david-brin/

MLA: "David Brin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-brin/.

Chicago: "David Brin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-brin/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-24 Β· Spot an error? Report a correction.

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