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Stanisław Lem

Stanisław Lem was a Polish philosopher, essayist, satirist, screenwriter, science fiction writer and futurist (1921–2006). He was born in Lviv and died in Kraków.

Also recorded as Stanislav Lem

Stanisław Lem in 1966

Courtesy of Lem's secretary, Wojciech Zemek. Resize and digital processing by Masur. · Stanislaw Lem 2.jpg · CC BY-SA 3.0

Biography

Stanisław Lem was recorded at birth as Stanisław Herman Lem. The authorities additionally record the heading Stanislav Lem. His recorded languages were English, Polish, Russian and German. His recorded confession was atheism.

He was the child of Samuel Lem. He married Barbara Lem. One child is recorded: Tomasz Lem. Other recorded relations include Henryk Hescheles, Marian Hemar and Janina Altman.

Stanisław Lem worked in philosophy, science fiction, drama and science fiction literature.

He belonged to Polish Academy of Learning, Stowarzyszenie Pisarzy Polskich, Polish Writers' Union, Polish Academy of Sciences and Science Fiction Research Association. He worked at Kraków, Vienna and Lviv.

Stanisław Lem is recorded as philosopher, essayist, satirist and screenwriter.

Do you exist, Mr.

Dated record

Life and career

Explore 1921–2020

  1. 1921

    Life

    Stanisław Lem was born in 1921.

  2. 1944

    The Man from Mars is dated 1944.

  3. 1948

    Hospital of the Transfiguration is dated 1948.

  4. 1950

    The Astronauts is dated 1950.

  5. 1955

    Do you exist, Mr. Johnes? is dated 1955.

  6. 1955

    The Magellanic Cloud is dated 1955.

  7. 1955

    The Invincible is dated 1955.

  8. 1958

    The Investigation is dated 1958.

  9. 1960

    Solaris is dated 1960.

  10. 1961

    Return from the Stars is dated 1961.

  11. 1963

    Faithful Robot is dated 1963.

  12. 1964

    Summa Technologiae is dated 1964.

  13. 1971

    The Futurological Congress is dated 1971.

  14. 1974

    The Mask is dated 1974.

  15. 1976

    The Chain of Chance is dated 1976.

  16. 1976

    Lunnaya noch is dated 1976.

The full dated record · 21 entries
  1. 1921

    Stanisław Lem was born in 1921.

  2. 1944

    The Man from Mars is dated 1944.

  3. 1948

    Hospital of the Transfiguration is dated 1948.

  4. 1950

    The Astronauts is dated 1950.

  5. 1955

    Do you exist, Mr. Johnes? is dated 1955.

  6. 1955

    The Magellanic Cloud is dated 1955.

  7. 1955

    The Invincible is dated 1955.

  8. 1958

    The Investigation is dated 1958.

  9. 1960

    Solaris is dated 1960.

  10. 1961

    Return from the Stars is dated 1961.

  11. 1963

    Faithful Robot is dated 1963.

  12. 1964

    Summa Technologiae is dated 1964.

  13. 1971

    The Futurological Congress is dated 1971.

  14. 1974

    The Mask is dated 1974.

  15. 1976

    The Chain of Chance is dated 1976.

  16. 1976

    Lunnaya noch is dated 1976.

  17. 1984

    Peace on Earth is dated 1984.

  18. 1985

    Fiasco is dated 1985.

  19. 2006

    Stanisław Lem died at Kraków.

  20. 2006

    Solaris – Stanislaw Lem (2006) (2006) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.

  21. 2020

    "Fiasco" (2020) is digitised and catalogued by Internet Archive.

Primary material

Documents and archives

Citations

References

Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.

Held on the record

Further particulars

Open the remaining particulars

Formation and teaching. Lem studied at Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University and Jagiellonian University. The record notes the qualification Absolutorium. His recorded influences include Olaf Stapledon.

Work and production. Works recorded as notable number 8: Solaris, Summa Technologiae, The Star Diaries, Fiasco, Golem XIV, The Astronauts, Fables for Robots and The Cyberiad. His recorded genres are science fiction and futures studies.

Stanisław Lem received Order of the White Eagle (Third Polish Republic), Golden Medal for Merit to Culture, Franz Kafka Prize, Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, Work Flag Order, 2nd class and Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

  • Recognition and collections

The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.

Elsewhere in Books

For owners

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