Asimov famously created a humans-only galaxy in his Foundation series, then created the multi-species "Isaac's Universe" for other authors to set original stories in. In his Introduction to Volume Two, Asimov cites Tolkien as an unconscious inspiration because the latter's Middle Earth is a multi-species environment with:
human beings
elves
dwarfs
ents
wizards
hobbits
orcs/goblins
trolls
Tom Bombadil
Shelob
superwolves
supereagles
a superbear
Gollum
However, since Tolkien's Middle Earth history is a fantasy set on a single planet, a much more relevant possible source is Poul Anderson's History of Technic Civilization which is multi-planet sf with:
human beings
winged Ythrians
green Merseians
large Wodenites
small Cynthians
goblin-like Gorzuni
no-longer-human Kirkasanters -
- and many more.
Anderson, of course, also adapted Norse mythology, including elves, independently of Tolkien.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
We see Asimov using non humans in one of his Empire/Foundation stories: "Blind Alley." And, frankly, that was one of his more interesting stories. Unfortunately, Asimov spoiled matters by having these aliens fleeing or emigrating to the Magellanic Clouds, taking them out of his "future history."
Sean
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