Nathan Schachner

Nathan Schachner, also known as Nat Schachner, was an influential American writer, historian, and attorney who made significant contributions to both historical literature and early science fiction. He gained prominence for his detailed biographies of key figures from America's Revolutionary Era, including Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Schachner's writing career began in the pulp magazine scene of the 1930s, where he published over fifty stories in genres such as science fiction, horror, and mystery. His early works laid the groundwork for the burgeoning Golden Age of Science Fiction, during which he became known for his imaginative storytelling and innovative concepts, including the creation of the Grandfather paradox, which has since become a staple in discussions of time travel in fiction. In addition to his literary achievements, Schachner was a passionate advocate for space exploration. As a founding member of the American Interplanetary Society, he played a crucial role in promoting liquid fuel rocketry in the United States during the early 1930s. This organization later evolved into the American Rocket Society and eventually became part of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Schachner's dual legacy as a historian and a pioneer in the field of rocketry underscores his unique position in American literature and science, influencing both the literary and aerospace communities well beyond his lifetime.