Friday, November 10, 2006

RIP: Jack Williamson


SF Grand Master Jack Williamson, born 1908, died Friday 11/10/06 at his home in Portales, New Mexico, at the age of 98. His first published story was "The Metal Man" in Amazing Stories in 1928, the beginning of a writing career that spanned nine decades. His work ranged from early space opera series The Legion of Space (beginning 1934), werewolf SF/fantasy Darker Than You Think (1940), thoughtful SF classic The Humanoids (1948), Golden Age antimatter tale Seetee Ship (1951 as by Will Stewart), and time travel series Legion of Time (1952). Later works included Hugo and Nebula Award winning novella "The Ultimate Earth" (2000) and its novel expansion Terraforming Earth (2001), winner of the John W. Campbell Memorial Award.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

RIP Jack.

One of my favourite early SF authors, and my favourite JW story - 'With Folded Hands' (1947).

Aside from Arthur C Clarke, are there any of the 'original' SF authors left?

Anonymous said...

Shaun I can now see that you are a true SF fan. With Folded Hands is without a doubt one of the all time classics. As to grand masters still breathing? Robert Silverberg though in declining health is still alive as of this writing, Some may think of Harlan Ellison as one of the new kids on the block but I would consider him maybe not golden age but certainly a master, Ben Bova is still going strong - though I haven't seen alot of production from him lately, Larry Niven is still kicking and if his latest book is any indication (Building Harlequin's Moon ) still going strong. Those these authors may not be "golden age" writers, I certainly count these as part of my formative years authors.

Anonymous said...

Ah yes, Robert Silverberg - author of one of my 2 favourite novella's: 'Sailing to Byzantium' (the other favourite is Heinlein's 'The Man Who Sold the Moon')

Yes, Harlan Ellison certainly deserves the 'master' tag.

With Jack Williamson's passing - and A.C. Clarke in his 'later years' - I really feel that twilight has come to the 'golden age'.

Anonymous said...

I honestly feel that as long as there are writers like yourself that remember the foundations of the genre, that the "golden era" will never truly pass.