Philip K. Dick (1928–1982) was a visionary American science fiction author whose work explored the nature of reality, identity, and perception. He wrote over 40 novels and 120 short stories, many of which have been adapted into films and TV shows—like Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Minority Report, and The Man in the High Castle.

His stories often feature:

• Alternate realities and shifting perceptions of truth
• Artificial intelligence, androids, and post-human identity
• Paranoia and authoritarianism, reflecting Cold War anxieties
• Drug use and altered consciousness, drawn from his own experiences

Though underappreciated in his lifetime, Dick is now considered one of the most influential sci-fi writers of the 20th century.