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Robert Anson Heinlein, 1907-1988, American Science Fiction Writer. A graduate of Annapolis, Heinlein's intended career in the USN was ended in 1934 by Tuberculosis. Unable to hold a job due to his health (and the Great Depression), Heinlein turned to writing.

He was a great proponent of space exploration and, while often critical of NASA for perceived deficiencies, was also a strong supporter since they were "the only game in town." I have been unable to find on-line the text of a speech he made listing a great many spinoffs of the space program for which it seldom gets credit; one of these was the medical advances used to correct a blockage in his carotid artery which added about 10 years to his life and 10 years of his writings to his published works.

The Apollo 15 astronauts named "Rhysling Crater" on the moon after a Heinlein character; Mars has "Heinlein Crater" named after the author himself.

Heinlein is a source of inspiration for many would-be self-sufficient generalists like myself (who aspire to be B+ or better at everything); see Specialization is for Insects.