L. Sprague de Camp

(November 27, 1907 – November 6, 2000)

An aeronautical engineer by training, de Camp took up writing sf and fantasy in the late 30s and was one of the mainstays of both Unknown and Astounding under Campbell. He married Catherine Crook de Camp in 1939, and served (along with Heinlein and Asimov) at the Philadelphia Navy Yard during WW II.

After the war, he continue to write sf and fantasy, as well as a considerable amount of non-fiction, particularly history. He traveled extensively around the world. He was a member of the Trap Door Spiders and the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America. Probably his most famous works are Lest Darkness Fall and The Incomplete Enchanter. He lived in the Philadelphia area for most of his life.

He was not primarily a fan, but was a very fannish pro. He wrote extensively for Amra and was one of the founders of the Hyborian Legion. Along with Fritz Leiber, he helped get Discon I off to a good start (see Discon 1 Guide: The First Day). He was parliamentarian of the WSFS Business Meeting in 1960 (see the meeting minutes from Amra).

Entry in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction

Awards, Honors and GoHships:

• 1946 -- FPWESFC
• 1953 -- International Fantasy Award
• 1954 -- 1954 Best Related Book Retro Hugo nominee for the Science-Fiction Handbook
• 1956 -- 1956 Best Feature Writer Hugo nominee, 1956 Best Novelette Hugo nominee for "A Gun for Dinosaur"
• 1966 -- Tricon
• 1969 -- Balticon 3, 1969 Open ESFA
• 1972 -- Boskone 9
• 1973 -- Pat Terry Award for Humour in SF
• 1975 -- PgHLANGE 7
• 1976 -- DeepSouthCon 14, Unicon 2B, Lifetime Achievement Gandalf Award
• 1977 -- Lunacon 20, Philcon 1976 (really), Forry Award
• 1979 -- Just Imagicon, Fool-Con II, SFWA Grandmaster
• 1980 -- Marcon XV
• 1981 -- URCON III, X-Con 5
• 1983 -- Balticon 17, Rivercon VIII, InConJunction III, Rovacon 8
• 1984 -- Archon 8, AggieCon XV, Norwescon VII, Onocon '84, World Fantasy Convention Award
• 1986 -- StellarCon XI
• 1987 -- LibertyCon 1
• 1990 -- 16th World Fantasy Convention, InConJunction X
• 1991 -- LibertyCon 5
• 1993 -- Conversion 10, Raymond Z. Gallun Award
• 1995 -- NecronomiCon, 2nd Edition, Sidewise Award for Lifetime Achievement
• 1996 -- LibertyCon 10
• 1997 -- 1997 Best Non-Fiction Book Hugo for his autobiography, Time and Chance
• 1998 -- Pilgrim Award

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Person

1907—2000

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