Jules Verne (1828 – 1905) was born in Nantes, France and is best known for his science fiction and voyage adventure classic
works. Perhaps, his best known work is the classic 20,000 leagues under the sea. Other works that are commonly known and read today include Around the World in 80 Days, The
Mysterious Island, and Journey to the Center of the Earth. Many of his works have been made into movies and television series. Additionally, some of his works appear to have inspired other shows. The television series “Lost” bears many similarities with Verne’s “The Mysterious Island”.
His most famous works include:
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - a sea faring adventure story about 3 unlucky passengers aboard the dreaded submarine Nautilus. Nautilus was led by
Captain Nemo, a fiercely anti war man who tried to use the technology at his disposal to put an end to war.
The Mysterious Island – a sequel to 20,000 Leagues set during the end of the US Civil War. A group of 5 Union soldiers and their dog land on a deserted island during an escape from a Confederate prison camp. The island provides numerous adventures and challenges to the group in their attempt at survival.
Around the World in 80 Days – Set during the Franco-Prussian war, this story is about the eccentric English gentleman and his French servant who embark on a journey to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. This journey was undertaken because of a wager between the eccentric Phileas Fogg and his wealthy friends.
Journey to the Center of the Earth – a Professor leads a small party of explorers into a volcano. Along the way, the group encounters many hazards, including prehistoric creatures and other natural dangers.
Verne’s most interesting and famous character is undoubtedly, Captain Nemo. Nemo was the main antagonist in “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and was also featured in “The Mysterious Island”. Captain Nemo was also a character in works by other writers (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen included Nemo as one of its main characters). Like many fiction writers, Verne makes predictions about the future. For example, he wrote about submarines in “20,000 leagues”, about mechanical air travel and automobiles in “Robur the Conqueror”, and space travel in several of his lesser known works (“From the Earth to the Moon” and “Around the Moon”).
Verne was a prolific writer and about 85 works can be attributed to him. Besides his novels, he wrote many short stories, and even some non-fiction essays. Verne died in 1905 and is buried in Amiens, France.