Richard Burton Matheson was an American novelist and screenwriter whose work profoundly influenced science fiction, fantasy, and horror in literature, film, and television. He wrote acclaimed novels including I Am Legend, The Shrinking Man, Hell House, and What Dreams May Come, many of which were adapted for the screen. Matheson was also one of the most celebrated writers for The Twilight Zone, contributing classic episodes such as "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," "Little Girl Lost," and "Steel," while also writing for series including Star Trek. Widely regarded as one of the most influential speculative fiction writers of the twentieth century, his work has inspired generations of authors and filmmakers.