David Drake

David Drake studied at Duke University, University of Iowa and Duke University School of Law. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is science fiction, fantasy and fantasy literature. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are science fiction, steampunk, fantasy and military science fiction. Works named in the authority record are Hammer's Slammers, Servant of the Dragon, Northworld and More Than Honor.

• Name — David Drake • Born — 24 September 1945 • Birthplace — Dubuque, Iowa, U.S. • Died — 10 December 2023 • Place of death — Silk Hope, North Carolina, U.S. • Occupation — Author • Language — English • Education — * University of Iowa • Duke University School of Law • Genre — Science fiction, fantasy • Notable Works — Hammer's Slammers, RCN Series • Website — http: david-drake.com/ David A. Drake (September 24, 1945 – December 10, 2023) was an American author of science fiction and fantasy literature. A Vietnam War veteran, he worked as a lawyer before becoming a writer in the military science fiction genre.

Drake graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Iowa, majoring in history (with honors) and Latin. His studies at Duke University School of Law were interrupted for two years when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an enlisted interrogator with the 11th Armored Cavalry (the Black Horse Regiment) in Vietnam and Cambodia. After the war, from 1972 to 1980 he worked as the assistant town attorney in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In 1981 he transitioned to full-time writing of science fiction literature. With Karl Edward Wagner and Jim Groce, he was one of the initiators of Carcosa, a small press company. He lived in Pittsboro, North Carolina. In 2019, he announced that he may be suffering from Parkinson's disease. On November 17, 2021, he announced he was retiring from writing novels, due to unspecified cognitive health problems. Drake died on December 10, 2023, at the age of 78.

His best-known solo work is the Hammer's Slammers series of military science fiction. His newer RCN Series is a space opera inspired by the Aubrey–Maturin novels. In 1997, Drake began his largest fantasy series, Lord of the Isles, using elements of Sumerian religion and medieval technology. In 2007, Drake finished the series with its ninth volume. Drake co-authored novels with authors such as Karl Edward Wagner, S. M. Stirling, and Eric Flint. Typically Drake provided plot outlines (5,000–15,000 words) and the co-author did "the real work of developing the outline into a novel". He did not "consider [his] involvement to be that of a real co-author." Drake also contributed to the Heroes in Hell series. A common element in most of his works was the focus on military themes, in particular the lives of regular soldiers. Some of Drake's works are available for free download in the Baen Free Library.

• Mayfair Games produced the licensed Hammer's Slammers board game (1984) based on David Drake's novel Hammer's Slammers. • Mongoose Publishing adapted Drake's novel as the licensed setting Hammer's Slammers (2009) for the Traveller role-playing game. • John Treadaway has adapted Hammer's Slammers into a wargame, of which several editions have been published. The game uses various miniatures from companies such as Brigade Models, Old Crow Models, and Ground Zero Games.

David Drake is recorded with the occupation science fiction writer. Classed in the genre military science fiction. Recorded with the occupation fantasy author. Classed in the genre space opera. Classed in the genre steampunk. Classed in the genre fantasy. Recorded as novelist, writer, lawyer, editor and fantasy author. Work and production. Works recorded as notable number 4: Hammer's Slammers, Servant of the Dragon, Northworld and More Than Honor. His recorded genres are science fiction, steampunk, fantasy, military science fiction and space opera.