The fictional universe created by Frank Herbert is Dune. Herbert introduced it in his 1965 novel Dune, which follows Paul Atreides amid dynastic politics, ecological struggle, religion, and control of the desert planet Arrakis.
Arrakis is crucial because it is the only known source of melange, or “spice,” a substance that extends life, enhances awareness, and enables interstellar navigation. The spice makes the planet the center of an empire-wide power struggle involving House Atreides, House Harkonnen, the Emperor, and the Fremen people.
Dune is sometimes confused with the individual novel, but the name also describes the larger setting and franchise. Herbert expanded the story into a six-book series, beginning with Dune Messiah in 1969 and ending with Chapterhouse: Dune in 1985. His son Brian Herbert and author Kevin J. Anderson later continued and expanded the universe through additional novels.