A writer form Portland, Oregon known for her poetry, children’s books, essays, and novels—particularly her fantasy and science fiction—Le Guin depicted futuristic and imaginary alternative worlds exploring politics, gender, religion, sexuality, and ethnography. Her novel The Left Hand of Darkness is famous for its radical exploration of gender roles, and in 2003 she became a Grandmaster of Science Fiction, one of only a handful of women to receive the honor.