H. BEAM PIPER (1904-1964) was an influential American Science Fiction and Mystery author during the great era of pulp sci-fi.
He is best known for his Terro-Human Future History series of stories and a shorter series of “Paratime” alternate history tales.

As a true autodidact, and gun collector, Piper’s work displays his extensive knowledge of history, science and firearms. Themes that frequently appear in his stories include, self reliance, space opera, time travel, planetary romance and law enforcement. Piper cut short his career and ended his life short via a self-inflicted gun wound, some say because he thought he was washed up. Sadly, his late agent's estate had neglected to inform Piper that several of his latest works had indeed been sold. If this would have convinced Piper not to pull the trigger, nobody knows. Various SF authors credit being inspired by H. Beam Piper’s writings.