Femi Fadugba (born 1987) is a British writer and physicist based in London. His first book, The Upper World, was published by Penguin Random House in 2021. It was turned into a film by Netflix, starring Daniel Kaluuya.
Femi Fadugba | |
|---|---|
| Born | Olufemi Fadugba 1987 (age 36–37) Togo |
| Occupation | Writer and physicist |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania University of Oxford |
| Notable works | The Upper World (2021) |
Early life and education
editFadugba was born to Nigerian parents[1] in Togo during a civil war. His father was an interpreter for the United Nations.[2] Fadugba spent his early childhood moving around, including a stint in the United States, before settling in England at age nine, where he attended a boarding school in Somerset. As his parents frequently traveled for work, he would stay with his aunt in Peckham when not at school.[2] Fadugba was encouraged by his school caretaker to pursue a career in physics. In an interview with The Guardian, Fadugba explained that at the age of 11 his caretaker gave him Quantum Physics for Dummies.[2]
Faduga completed a master's degree in materials science at St Catherine's College, Oxford, University of Oxford, where he was awarded the Rolls-Royce Armourers and Brasiers' Company Prize.[3] His third year project specialised in quantum computing.[4] He moved to the University of Pennsylvania for graduate studies, where he worked toward a Master of Public Administration as a Thouron Scholar.[2][5]
Career
editFadugba returned to the United Kingdom, where he worked in a solar finance company.[6] In 2011 he was selected by the Rare Rising Stars competition as the "UK’s Best Black Student".[6]
Fadugba's book, The Upper World, combines the everyday life of young people living in Peckham, South London, with time travel and quantum physics. He was motivated to write it after his friends became increasingly curious about the mysteries and miracles of physics. Fadugba has described physics as a combination of maths and metaphors.[7] The Guardian described The Upper World as a "uniquely thrilling, heart-wrenching young adult novel".[7] After a 15-way auction, the book was published by Penguin Random House in August 2021.[2]
Almost immediately after Fadugba sent the manuscript to the publishers, it was leaked to Hollywood.[7] Faduba was approached by Netflix, Monkeypaw Productions and Plan B Entertainment for the film rights.[7] The rights were won by Netflix, and the film will be produced by and star Daniel Kaluuya.[8][9][10][11]
Personal life
editFadugba is married to an American doctor.[2]
References
edit- ^ "Einstein in Peckham – Femi Fadugba". Writers Mosaic. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Morris, Kadish (2021-08-13). "Femi Fadugba: 'There's no reason why Peckham couldn't be the theoretical physics capital of the world'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ^ Johnston, Hamish (2021-08-13). "Bizarre phrases betray fake research papers, physics rules the roost in Peckham and Brentford FC". Physics World. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ^ "Rare Rising Stars 2010". www.rarerecruitment.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ^ "Femi Fadugba (2006, Materials Science)" (PDF). St Catherine's College Oxford.
- ^ a b Simpson, Trudy (2011-09-25). "The future looks bright for rising star Femi | The Voice Online". archive.voice-online.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ^ a b c d "How I wrote it: Femi Fadugba on The Upper World". Penguin Random House. 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ^ Noble, Fiona (2021-05-07). "Femi Fadugba | 'The best way to get broad creativity is to narrow the confines around it'". The Bookseller. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (2020-08-13). "Netflix Acquires Femi Fadugba's Debut Novel 'The Upper World'; Daniel Kaluuya Attached to Star". sg.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (2020-08-13). "Daniel Kaluuya to Star in Sci-Fi Feature 'The Upper World' for Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
- ^ "Femi Fadugba's 'The Upper World' Adapted for Film by Netflix". RCW Literary Agency. Retrieved 2021-08-13.