Sterner St. Paul Meek, born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 8, 1894, was an American military chemist, early science fiction writer, and children's author. His unique career trajectory allowed him to blend his scientific and military expertise with a prolific output of imaginative fiction, making him a distinct voice in the early twentieth-century speculative fiction scene.
Meek's professional life in the military directly shaped his publishing identity. He published much of his early work under the name Capt. S.P. Meek, transitioning to Major S.P. Meek, and eventually adopting Col. S. P. Meek after 1933. He also briefly wrote under the pseudonym Sterner St. Paul. This progression of military titles mirrored his actual career advancement as a military chemist, lending an air of authority to his technical and speculative narratives.
As an early contributor to the science fiction genre, Meek wrote stories that captured the technological curiosity of his era. In addition to his speculative fiction, he found success as a children's author, crafting engaging stories for younger readers. He passed away on June 10, 1972, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering genre writer who successfully navigated the intersection of science, military service, and popular literature.
