Charles Hoy Fort was an American writer and researcher known for his extensive documentation of anomalous phenomena, events that seemed to defy conventional scientific understanding. Born in 1874, Fort developed an independent spirit early in life, fueled by extensive reading rather than formal schooling. After inheriting money, he dedicated himself to full-time writing, collecting accounts of unexplained occurrences. His most famous work, "The Book of the Damned" (1919), compiled these "damned" data points – phenomena rejected or ignored by science. Fort's collections influenced many science fiction writers and led to the coining of the terms "Fortean" and "Forteana" to describe such phenomena and their study. He spent years researching in libraries in New York and London, meticulously gathering notes on odd events. Despite his own skepticism about his theories, Fort's work inspired a devoted following who referred to themselves as "Forteans" and continued to investigate the unexplained. He died in 1932, leaving behind a legacy of curiosity about the boundaries of knowledge.

For over three decades, Charles Fort dedicated himself to an exhaustive study of phenomena that eluded standard scientific explanations. He spent countless hours in major libraries in New York City and London, poring over scientific journals, newspapers, and magazines. From these diverse sources, Fort meticulously collected notes on events that challenged the prevailing scientific and cultural beliefs of his time. He amassed thousands of notes, often on scraps of paper and cards, which he organized into shoeboxes. Despite periods of depression where he destroyed his work, Fort consistently returned to his research. His extensive collection, including a significant portion now housed at the New York Public Library, forms the basis of his influential writings on the unexplained.

Fort's career as a writer was marked by his unique approach to documenting the unexplained. He authored four major books: "The Book of the Damned" (1919), "New Lands" (1923), "Lo!" (1931), and "Wild Talents" (1932). His writing style, though sometimes described as challenging, was characterized by a blend of mocking humor, keen insight, and deliberate outrageousness. Fort himself claimed to believe nothing of his own proposals, suggesting his theories fit the data as well as conventional explanations. This approach positioned him as a satirist, skeptical of claims to ultimate knowledge, particularly within the scientific community. His work offered a provocative perspective, inviting readers to question established narratives and explore the limits of accepted knowledge.

Charles Fort's work resonated with a significant audience, leading to the development of a dedicated following. These admirers, who called themselves "Forteans," were inspired by his research into anomalous phenomena and often continued the work of investigating and reporting such events. His collections served as a rich source of ideas for numerous science fiction writers, impacting the genre with their skepticism and imaginative scope. The terms "Fortean" and "Forteana" became recognized descriptors for unexplained occurrences and the study thereof. Even after his death in 1932, Fort's legacy endured, with his books remaining in print and his approach to the unexplained continuing to inspire curiosity and investigation into the fringes of human knowledge.

“I believe nothing of my own that I have ever written.”