Robert Bloch was born April 5, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois—a city already steeped in shadows and burgeoning myth even then. His arrival wasn’t heralded by fanfare, but rather the quiet hum of an industrial age, a backdrop that would subtly, yet profoundly, shape the worlds he later conjured. He left us on September 23, 1994, […]
Philip Francis Nowlan was born November 13, 1888, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His early life wasn’t shaped by the grand vistas he would later conjure for readers; instead, it unfolded amid the practical rhythms of rural America. He spent much of his career as a journalist, contributing to publications such as the Public Ledger, the North
Philip Francis Nowlan Read More »
Randall Garrett was born December 16, 1927, in Lexington, Missouri. His early life offered few signs of the intricate tales he would go on to weave. Instead, it unfolded with the quiet rhythm of a boy fascinated by puzzles and the precise mechanics of things—an interest that would later become the bedrock of his writing.
Herbert George Wells was born September 21, 1866, in Bromley, Kent, England. His beginnings were not those of privilege; a fractured family life and early lessons in hardship shaped a mind that would later dismantle comfortable assumptions about the world. He wasn’t destined for academia, initially apprenticed to a draper, then a teacher—experiences which instilled
Born amid the noisy optimism and lingering shadows of a post-depression Brooklyn on July 16, 1928, Robert Sheckley grew up with a city’s nervous heartbeat beneath his stories. His early life wasn’t marked by grand estates or academic privilege; rather, it unfolded amidst the bustling energy and subtle anxieties of a city rebuilding after hardship.
Stanley Grauman Weinbaum was born on April 4, 1902, in Louisville, Kentucky. His life, though tragically short, burned with an intensity that continues to illuminate the landscape of science fiction. Stanley Grauman Weinbaum erupted onto the science fiction scene like a geyser from unexpected depths: sudden, brilliant, and gone too soon. Weinbaum’s early life was
Stanley G. Weinbaum Read More »
Jack Vance is a fascinating figure in science fiction and fantasy literature, known for his imaginative worlds, intricate plots, and vibrant characters. Born in 1916, Vance began his writing career in the 1940s, publishing stories in pulp magazines before gaining recognition for his novels and short stories. His work spans a wide range of genres,
Edward Elmer Smith (1890–1965), known as E. E. “Doc” Smith, was an American author and pioneer of the space opera sub-genre of science fiction. Born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Smith studied electrical engineering and earned a Ph.D. in the field. He worked as a food engineer for many years, contributing to advancements in the field of
Cordwainer Smith was the pen name of Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger (1913–1966), an American author, diplomat, and professor of political science. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Linebarger led a multifaceted life that included careers in academia, government service, and writing. He served in the United States Army during World War II and later worked as a