Buford Early
Encyclopedia
Buford Early is a recurring character from the Man-Kzin Wars
series of books. Along with Chuut-Riit and Ulf Reichstein-Markham
, Early is both one of the few major recurring characters, and one of the few characters to have a large role in stories written by more than one author.
Early was born on Earth
in the early 23rd century. He was a minor official in the United Nations
Amalgamated Regional Militia and taught military history, which gave him access to the remaining vestiges of human military technology and personnel, as well as those who might be quickly converted to the task. When the First Man-Kzin War broke out, Early was promoted to general
and given command of the Wild Talents Program, which in charge of using exotic technology and unconventional ideas (such as telepaths, Protector virus
, and Slaver stasis field weapons) against the Kzin
ti. He smuggled himself aboard a ship en route to Wunderland, against orders, to direct joint UN-Wunderlander combat operations there in the retaking of the world from the Kzin. By the end of the war, Early was one of the central figures in the human military hierarchy.
The names "Buford" and "Early" are those of a Union general
and Confederate general respectively.
Man-Kzin Wars
The Man-Kzin Wars is a series of military science fiction short story collections , as well as the eponymous conflicts between mankind and the Kzinti that they detail...
series of books. Along with Chuut-Riit and Ulf Reichstein-Markham
Ulf Reichstein-Markham
Ulf Reichstein-Markham is a recurring character from the Man-Kzin Wars series of books. Along with Buford Early and Chuut-Riit, Reichstein-Markham is both one of the few major recurring characters, and one of the few characters to have a large role in stories written by more than one...
, Early is both one of the few major recurring characters, and one of the few characters to have a large role in stories written by more than one author.
Early was born on Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
in the early 23rd century. He was a minor official in the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Amalgamated Regional Militia and taught military history, which gave him access to the remaining vestiges of human military technology and personnel, as well as those who might be quickly converted to the task. When the First Man-Kzin War broke out, Early was promoted to general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
and given command of the Wild Talents Program, which in charge of using exotic technology and unconventional ideas (such as telepaths, Protector virus
Pak Protector
Pak Breeders and Pak Protectors are two forms of fictional life in Larry Niven's Known Space universe. The Pak first appeared in "The Adults," which appeared in Galaxy in 1967; this story was expanded into the novel Protector by Larry Niven...
, and Slaver stasis field weapons) against the Kzin
Kzin
The Kzinti are a fictional, very warlike and bloodthirsty race of cat-like aliens in Larry Niven's Known Space series....
ti. He smuggled himself aboard a ship en route to Wunderland, against orders, to direct joint UN-Wunderlander combat operations there in the retaking of the world from the Kzin. By the end of the war, Early was one of the central figures in the human military hierarchy.
The names "Buford" and "Early" are those of a Union general
John Buford
John Buford, Jr. was a Union cavalry officer during the American Civil War, with a prominent role at the start of the Battle of Gettysburg.-Early years:...
and Confederate general respectively.