Lester del Rey (1915–1993) was a pioneering American science fiction and fantasy author, editor, and publisher. He began writing in the late 1930s, with early classics like Helen O’Loy, and became a key figure in the Golden Age of Science Fiction. His stories often explored themes of humanity, ethics, and technology, blending emotional depth with speculative ideas.

Beyond writing, he was a major force in publishing—co-founding Del Rey Books with his wife Judy-Lynn del Rey in 1977, which became a powerhouse imprint for genre fiction. He also edited influential anthologies and reviewed for major magazines.

Del Rey received numerous honors, including the SFWA Grand Master Award (1990) and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement (1984), cementing his legacy as both a creator and curator of speculative fiction.