Daniel Joseph Simmons, widely celebrated as Dan Simmons, an American author whose genre-defying works captivated readers across science fiction, horror, fantasy, and historical fiction, passed away on February 21, 2026, in Longmont, Colorado, at the age of 77. He was at home, surrounded by his beloved wife, Karen, and daughter, Jane. Simmons's passing marks the end of a prolific career that saw him publish over 30 novels and numerous short story collections, earning him a reputation as one of the giants of speculative fiction.

Born on April 4, 1948, in Peoria, Illinois, Simmons spent his formative years in various towns across the Midwest, including Brimfield, Illinois, and Pittsboro, Indiana. His early life was filled with a passion for reading and storytelling, a gift he cultivated from childhood. He pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wabash College in 1970, where he received a national Phi Beta Kappa Award for excellence in fiction, journalism, and art. He furthered his studies with a Master's degree in Education from Washington University in St. Louis in 1971.

Before dedicating himself fully to writing, Simmons embarked on a distinguished 18-year career as an elementary school teacher. He taught in Missouri, New York, and ultimately in Longmont, Colorado. During his tenure in education, he was recognized for his innovative teaching methods, co-creating a district-wide program for gifted students and being named a finalist for the Colorado Teacher of the Year award. His classroom was a vibrant space where he shared his love for stories, often captivating his students with daily installments of an epic tale that would later inspire one of his most famous works.

Simmons's journey as a published author began on a deeply personal day: February 15, 1982, the day his daughter, Jane Kathryn, was born, when his first short story appeared in print. This coincidence, he often noted, helped him maintain perspective on the balance between his writing and his life. He transitioned to full-time writing in 1987, a decision that allowed him to fully explore his boundless imagination.

His debut novel, "Song of Kali," published in 1985, immediately garnered critical acclaim, winning the prestigious World Fantasy Award and establishing him as a significant new voice in speculative fiction. This early success was a harbinger of the many accolades that would follow throughout his career.

In 1989, Simmons released "Hyperion," a landmark science fiction novel that earned him both the Hugo Award and the Locus Award for Best Novel. This work, structured with literary homages and inspired by the stories he told his students, became the first in his acclaimed "Hyperion Cantos" series, solidifying his place in the pantheon of modern science fiction. That same year, his vampire horror novel "Carrion Comfort" also received significant recognition, winning the Bram Stoker Award, the Locus Award for Best Horror, and the British Fantasy Award's August Derleth Award.

Simmons was known for his meticulous research and his refusal to be confined to a single genre, seamlessly blending elements of historical fiction, horror, crime, and science fiction. His 2007 novel, "The Terror," a fictionalized account of the doomed Franklin expedition, became one of his most acclaimed later works and was adapted into a highly praised television series in 2018. Throughout his career, his works were translated into over 20 languages and published in nearly 30 countries, demonstrating his global impact.

Dan Simmons leaves behind a profound literary legacy, characterized by complex narratives, rich character development, and a unique ability to explore the depths of human experience across diverse speculative landscapes. His influence will continue to resonate with generations of readers and writers who admire his ambition, imagination, and masterful craft. He is survived by his wife, Karen; his daughter, Jane; his grandchildren, Milo Glenn and Lucia Glenn; and his brother, Wayne.