Doug Webster

Doug Webster, courtesy of Rob Hansen

(April 1920 – late August, 2004)

Douglas William Lawrence 'Doug' Webster was a UK fan from Aberdeen in Scotland active in the 1930s and 1940s and to some extent into the 1960s. He was a member of the Science Fiction Association (SFA), joining in 1938.

A profile piece in Futurian War Digest #4 (January 1941) said

Editor of The Gentlest Art, poet, literateur and collector. Some 20 years old, missed being born on all-fools day only by a couple of days. In Dougie's own words 'Aberdonian born & bred – received excellent education at a Grammar School and am now at 'Varsity – science – tho' expect, due to War, to finish a course in jail. Not tall, nor dark, nor noticeably handsome. Don't drink or smoke; vegetarian too – what a collection of vices ! Hobbies; – besides s-f, collecting books on diverse subjects; films; stage; science; classics; rugby; tennis; etc; and etc...' At present on a farm due to tribunal 'sentence'. Seeking solace in a more active fannishness. Another grand letter writer.

Webster was the long-time stencil-cutter for Futurian War Digest and became the publisher of Fantast from #10 when Sam Youd was called up for service. Webster himself was a consciencious objector during the Second World War. He was also a Fanarchist, opposed to the existence of a general or even regional fan organisation, although this did not stop him joining the SFA and later coordinating the advisory board of the British Fantasy Society and acting as their liaison officer even though he was not himself a member. He applied the theory of Numerical fandoms to Britain (see Anglofan).

Futurian War Digest #33 (February 1944) reported that 'Due to lack of bookshelf space, lack of money, diminution of interest, and the quixotic mood of the moment' Webster was offering for sale some or all of his fanzine collection.

Harry Turner recalled in 2004 that:

By the time I returned from India for demob [1946], and resumed contact with him, he'd abandoned fandom and was in London, concentrating on his academic career.

Doug Webster at Loncon (1957), courtesy of Rob Hansen

In an article in New Futurian #4 (Spring 1955) Webster purported to detail some of his post-War activities although editor J. Michael Rosenblum added that 'it may just be possible that Douglas has his tongue in his cheek'.

He attended Loncon, the 1957 Worldcon, and is listed at an address in London in Ron Bennett's Directory of Science Fiction Fandom from 1958. In Skyrack #83, Bennett said about the the 1965 Worldcon: 'Names from Fandoms Past abounded, amongst them Doug Webster...'.

Fanzines and Apazines:

• Cthulhu [1942]
• The Fantast [1941–2] (succeeding C. S. Youd)
• The Gentlest Art [1940–41]
• Hellzapoppin [1941]

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Person

1920—2004

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