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Biography
American

Richard Matheson

1926 — 2013

Richard Matheson was an American novelist, screenwriter, and short story writer whose works — including I Am Legend (1954), The Shrinking Man (1956), and A Stir of Echoes (1958) — shaped modern horror, science fiction, and fantasy. He wrote sixteen episodes of The Twilight Zone and the screenplay for Duel (1971), Steven Spielberg's debut film.

Past sales0
PeriodModern
NationalityAmerican
1. Biography

A short life of the author

Richard Matheson (1926–2013) was born on 20 February 1926 in Allendale, New Jersey. He studied journalism at the University of Missouri.

Life and Career

I Am Legend (1954) — about the last man alive in a world of vampires — is one of the most influential horror novels ever written: it essentially invented the modern zombie/plague apocalypse genre. It has been adapted into three films.

The Shrinking Man (1956) — about a man who begins shrinking after exposure to a radioactive cloud — is his most philosophically ambitious novel. He wrote for The Twilight Zone (1959–1964), contributing episodes including “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” and “Steel.” His screenplay for Duel (1971) launched Steven Spielberg’s career.

Major Works and Themes

Matheson wrote about ordinary people confronting the extraordinary — his horror is domestic, suburban, and psychologically grounded. His influence on Stephen King, George Romero, and modern horror is immense.

Key Works

  • I Am Legend (1954)
  • The Shrinking Man (1956)

Collecting Matheson

I Am Legend first edition (Gold Medal, 1954) — a paperback original — in fine condition brings $500–$2,000. Matheson died in 2013.