“He had seen the whole Universe stretching to infinity around him—everything. And with it had come the clear and extraordinary knowledge that he was the most important thing in it. Having a conceited ego is one thing. Actually being told by a machine is another.”

British science fiction writer and humorist of the late 20th century, best known for *The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy*, a satirical space comedy that blends absurdity with sharp social commentary. His work explores existential questions with wit, critiquing human behavior through the lens of alien perspectives and cosmic absurdity.