William Gibson

Updated: 11/16/2019 by Computer Hope
William Gibson

Name: William Gibson

Born: March 17, 1948, Conway, South Carolina, USA

Computer-related contributions

  • American-Canadian speculative fiction novelist who has been called the "noir prophet" of the cyberpunk subgenre.
  • Gibson coined the term "cyberspace" in his short story "Burning Chrome" (1982).
  • In Neuromancer, Gibson first used the term "matrix" to refer to the visualized Internet, two years after the nascent Internet was formed. The book was also where he coined cyberspace.

Significant publications

  • Johnny Mnemonic (1981).
  • Burning Chrome (1986).
  • Distrust That Particular Flavor (2012).
  • Gibson has written over twenty short stories and ten critically acclaimed novels (one in collaboration). He has also contributed articles to several major publications, and collaborated extensively with performance artists, filmmakers, and musicians.

Honors and awards

  • EFF Pioneer Award (2019).
  • Tähtivaeltaja Award, for Neuromancer (1997).
  • Prix Aurora Award, Long-form, English, for Mona Lisa Overdrive (1989) and Virtual Light (1995).
  • Seiun Award, Best Foreign Language Novel of the Year, for Neuromancer (1987).
  • Nebula Award for Best Novel, for Neuromancer (1985).
  • Hugo Award for Best Novel, for Neuromancer (1985).
  • Ditmar Award, for Neuromancer (1985).
  • Science Fiction Chronicle Reader Award for Best Novel (1985).
  • Philip K. Dick Award, for Neuromancer (1984).

Quotes

"The future is already here - it's just not evenly distributed."

"The NET is a waste of time, and that's exactly what's right about it."

Websites