Philip Francis Nowlan

Philip Francis Nowlan (13 November 1888 – 1 February 1940) was an American science fiction author.

He created the character Buck Rogers.

Early Life
While attending the University of Pennsylvania, Nowlan was a member of The Mask and Wig Club, holding significant roles in the annual productions between 1907 and 1909. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania he worked as a newspaper columnist. Nowlan was married to Theresa Junker, and they had ten children. He moved to the Philadelphia suburb of Bala Cynwyd.

Career
He created and wrote the Buck Rogers comic strip, illustrated by Dick Calkins. He remained a writer on the strip until 1939. The character Buck Rogers first appeared in Nowlan's 1928 novella Armageddon 2419 A.D. as Anthony Rogers. A comic strip ran from 1929-1967. Spin-offs included a radio-serial series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (sporadically aired from 1932-1947), a 1939 movie serial Buck Rogers, and a 1979 television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.

Nowlan also wrote several other novellas for the science fiction magazines as well as the posthumously published mystery, The Girl from Nowhere.

Personal Life
He died from a stroke at his home in Bala.