Robert William Cole (6 April 1869 - 12 November 1937) was born in Heston, Middlesex and studied law at Balliol, Oxford, intending to become a barrister, but instead worked as a professional photographer and author.[1] Some of his works are early science fiction and future war fiction.[2] His writing is most notable for an early description of war in space, but had little influence on the history of science fiction because it was published by small presses and received little public attention. He died in Dawlish in Devon, aged 68. Most of Cole's works are out of print and are difficult to find. Copies can be found at the British Library, and two have been republished in scholarly editions.