Jules Verne

In the English speaking world, Verne's novels have always been more popular with younger people than with adults.

According to legend, Verne tried to run away to sea at the age of 10 only to be prevented from doing so by his parents. Today, few believe that this event occurred.

Verne was portrayed by Carl Esmond in the 1958 film From Earth to the Moon.

Verne's son, Michel Jules, was also a published author although his works sold far less than his father's.

Verne was friends with French author Alexandre Dumas during his younger days. Dumas encouraged Verne to pursue a writing career.

Verne is buried in La Madeleine Cemetary in Amiens, France.

Verne served on the town council of the city of Amiens, France from 1888 until 1904.

Verne frequently criticized the works of fellow sci-fi novelist H. G. Wells.

20th century sci-fi author Ray Bradbury and Polar explorer Richard E. Byrd are/were among Verne's admirers.

In 1867, Verne traveled to the United States with his brother. It was to be his only visit.

Most of Verne's research for his novels was done through reading books and periodicals of the time not through extensive travel as many believed.

Verne had a close working relationship with his publisher, Pierre-Jules Hetzel. Hetzel frequently got Verne to change large portions of his novels.

Verne was not a big admirer of Great Britain and frequently portrayed the British Empire in a less than flattering light in his novels.

Verne's novel, Paris in the 20th Century, went unpublished and was placed in a safe where it was discovered by his great-grandson in 1989. The novel was finally published in 1994.

On March 9, 1886, Verne was shot in the leg by his mentally unbalanced nephew. The nephew was later sent to an asylum and the incident itself was covered up by the media.

Verne liked to insert bits of comedy into his novels in order to relieve the tedium.

Verne's first successful novel was Five Weeks in a Ballon, published in 1863.

Verne had an uneasy relationship with his son due to the son's frequent gambling and womanizing.

Verne's only natural child, Michel Jules Verne, was born on August 31, 1861.

Verne married Honorine de Viane Morel, a widow with two daughters, on January 10, 1857.

Verne worked as a stockbroker for a time in order to support himself while establishing a writing career.

Verne originally planned to follow in his father's footsteps and enter the legal profession but decided to become a writer instead.

Verne received most of his education at St. Donatien College, a boarding school in his hometown of Nantes, France.

Verne was the oldest of five children.

Verne's parents names were Pierre and Sophie Verne. His father was an attorney.

Verne is the third most translated novelist in the world according to statistics kept by UNESCO.