Whoever or whatever these beings are, their challenges and struggles draw us in, and when we emerge from one of his stories, it is with a sense of enrichment.
Life seems sometimes more tragic, sometimes more luminous.
But don't take my word for it. Check out the beginnings of some of his sci fi stories. Find out who he was. The same day, there will also be an event celebrating the debut of the Cordwainer Smith Foundation. Details to follow.