Iain Banks (1954-2013) was a Scottish author best known for his science fiction novels. He wrote under the name Iain M. Banks for his science fiction works, and under the name Iain Banks for his mainstream fiction. His works often explored themes of post-scarcity societies, artificial intelligence, and the intersection of science and religion. He wrote over twenty novels, including The Wasp Factory, The Crow Road, and The Player of Games. He was also a vocal supporter of Scottish independence and a patron of the Scottish National Party. Banks was awarded an OBE in 2001 for his services to literature. He died in 2013 after a battle with cancer.