C. I. Defontenay

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C.I. Defontenay (1814-1856) was the pseudonym of French science fiction writer Charlemagne Ischir Defontenay. Defontenay's 1854 Star, ou Psi Cassiopea is seen by some as an example of proto-space opera.[1] Others see Defontenay as a predecessor of Olaf Stapledon. Star describes the discovery in the Himalayas of a manuscript describing the alien societies of various humanoid races living in the constellation of Cassiopeia.

Defontenay's other accomplishments included being a pioneer in plastic surgery. He was a disciple of Fourier and Hoffman. His writings often display his philosophical kinship with those thinkers.

[edit] References and links

• The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
• Publishers picture and brief information on the book
• Project MUSE, restricted Access
• Science Fiction studies article