The world of speculative fiction is mourning the loss of one of its most influential voices. Dan Simmons, the genre-defying author best known for the Hugo Award-winning Hyperion Cantos, died on February 21, 2026, in Longmont, Colorado, after suffering a stroke. He was 77. Surrounded by his wife Karen and daughter Jane, Simmons passed away quietly, leaving behind a legacy that stretches across horror, science fiction, historical fiction, and more. News of his death, announced by his family and confirmed by fellow author David Morrell, has sent ripples through literary communities worldwide.
Born April 4, 1948, in Peoria, Illinois, Simmons was a Midwesterner at heart. He earned an English degree from Wabash College in Indiana and a graduate degree in education from Washington University in St. Louis, later receiving an honorary doctorate from his alma mater. Before he became a full-time writer, Simmons spent 18 years as an elementary school teacher in Missouri, Buffalo, New York, and Longmont, Colorado. His commitment to education ran deep: he co-created a districtwide gifted student program that was the first of its kind and was named a finalist for the Colorado Teacher of the Year award, according to Newsweek.
It was in the classroom that the seeds of Simmons’ most famous work were sown. Each day after lunch, he would tell his students a continuing epic tale, complete with illustrations they would color as they listened. When the story finally ended on the last day of school, students wept—an early sign of the emotional power Simmons would wield as a novelist. That story became the foundation for the Hyperion Cantos, a four-part science fiction series that would define his career and the genre itself.
Published in 1989, Hyperion is often hailed as one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time. The book’s structure, inspired by Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, follows seven pilgrims as they journey to the mysterious Time Tombs on a distant planet—a place where time moves backwards and where they may confront the terrifying, time-bending creature known as the Shrike. Each character tells their own story, with Simmons masterfully weaving together different literary styles: tragedy, political thriller, military science fiction, and more. This genre-blending approach set Simmons apart from his contemporaries, as Ars Technica noted in its retrospective on his career.
“He defied literary norms, exploring historical fiction, horror, crime and other genres. He was one of a kind,” wrote David Morrell, a fellow author and friend, on social media. That willingness to cross boundaries made Simmons a literary giant, whose books were published in 28 countries and translated into at least 20 languages.
At its core, Hyperion is more than just a science fiction epic. Its emotional resonance has left a lasting mark on readers. The tale of Lenar Hoyt, a priest grappling with the future of Catholicism in a galaxy-spanning civilization, is haunting and deeply affecting. But it’s the Scholar’s Tale—featuring Sol Weintraub and his daughter Rachel—that many, including critics and fans, cite as the most powerful. As one reviewer recalled, “For the first time ever, when reading, I cried. Cried like a baby.” That emotional depth, rare in “hard” science fiction, is what made Simmons’ work so enduring.
Simmons’ debut novel, Song of Kali, published in 1985 and inspired by three days he spent in Kolkata, India, won the World Fantasy Award. It established him as a serious talent in speculative fiction. But it was Hyperion that brought him international acclaim, winning both the Hugo Award and the Locus Award and spawning three sequels that completed the Cantos. Unlike many epic series that lose steam or remain unfinished, Simmons delivered a satisfying conclusion—something his fans deeply appreciated. As Newsweek observed, “That commitment to completion defined his character.”
Simmons’ versatility was legendary. Over his career, he wrote more than 31 novels and short story collections, racking up twelve major award wins, including Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Awards. His 2007 novel The Terror, a fictional reimagining of Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition, was adapted into an acclaimed AMC limited series in 2018, introducing his work to a new generation of viewers.
Despite his success, Simmons remained rooted in his community. He continued to live in Longmont, Colorado—the same town where he taught sixth grade—and maintained close ties to his family. He is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Jane, grandchildren Milo and Lucia Glenn, and his brother Wayne. According to his obituary, his ashes will be scattered at a later date, with a Celebration of Life pending.
Reflecting on Simmons’ career, it’s clear that his impact extended far beyond the written page. He showed that genre fiction could be both intellectually rigorous and deeply human, blending the speculative with the emotional in ways few others have managed. His stories, whether set in the haunted streets of Kolkata or the farthest reaches of space, were always grounded in the complexities of the human heart.
In the words of his obituary, “Like his early reading pursuits, Dan always wrote about what he loved. He defied literary norms by writing across genres, switching between major publishers, and defying pressure to conform to formulaic novels. His works span from historical fiction to horror, hard-boiled crime, and speculative fiction.”
The literary world will feel the absence of Dan Simmons for years to come. Yet his words, his characters, and the worlds he created endure—waiting for new readers to discover their wonders, and for longtime fans to revisit the journeys that changed them. The Hyperion Cantos remains a towering achievement, a testament to the power of storytelling to move, challenge, and inspire.
Dan Simmons’ legacy is secure: a teacher, a visionary, and a writer who showed that stories can shape not just the future, but the very way we feel about being human.