French author Jules Verne (1828-1905) was the first writer of science fiction. His novels anticipated many events which would come true but were thought impossible at the time, such as space travel, guided missiles and submarines.
His most popular books include From The Earth to The Moon, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to The Centre of The Earth.
In 1873 he wrote Around The World In Eighty Days, charting the progress of Phileas Fogg in his attempts to circumnavigate the globe. In this book, the fictional character landed at Liverpool on his return to England only to be imprisoned in the Customs House for suspected theft. |