Difference between revisions of "John W. Campbell, Jr."

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At a time when [[sf]] was still basically [[pulp]] adventure, he wrote stories which stand up well even today.  Probably his most famous story is "[[Who Goes There?]]". Other significant Don A. Stuart stories include "Twilight" and "Forgetfulness".
 
At a time when [[sf]] was still basically [[pulp]] adventure, he wrote stories which stand up well even today.  Probably his most famous story is "[[Who Goes There?]]". Other significant Don A. Stuart stories include "Twilight" and "Forgetfulness".
  
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Campbell was a huge [[correspondent]], writing legendary letters to his writers critiquing their stories and often inspiring them. [[Perry Chapdelaine]] published two volumes of the ''John W. Campbell Letters'' composed of letters by Campbell.
  
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Campbell was a huge [[correspondent]], writing legendary letters to his writers critiquing their stories and often inspiring them. [[Perry Chapdelaine]] has published two volumes of the [[John W. Campbell Letters]] composed of letters by Campbell.  
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He was highly opinionated and prone to taking contrarian viewpoints. When he began championing [[pseudoscience]], such as [[Dianetics]], he alienated many in the [[sf community]]. Campbell wrote controversial essays and letters supporting segregation, and made repellent remarks regarding slavery and race. He pressed [[Jewish]] writers in his stable to take Anglo [[pseudonyms]], in the belief that they would sell better. [[Frederik Pohl]] said that [[Isaac Asimov]] escaped this only because he had previously been published under his own name.  
  
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Among his oft-quoted opinions: “[[Sex and Science Fiction Don't Mix]].”
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Among Campbell’s oft-quoted opinions: “[[Sex and Science Fiction Don't Mix]].”
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The [[Campbell Award]] was named after him.  It was for new writers, and reflects the enormous impact he had on the field through the discovery, development and encouragement of new writers. However, Campbell became a controversial figure in 2019 when that year’s award winner denounced him as a fascist in her acceptance speech, and the award was renamed the Astounding Award.
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There is also the [[John W. Campbell Memorial Award]], which is different.
  
 
He attended the [[First Worldcon]] in 1939.  
 
He attended the [[First Worldcon]] in 1939.  
  
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He was married twice, to Doña from 1931–49; they named one of their daughters for [[Leslyn Heinlein]]; and then to [[Peg Campbell|Margaret “Peg” Winter]] in 1950.  
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He was married twice, to Doña from 1931–49 (they named one of their daughters for [[Leslyn Heinlein]]) and then to [[Peg Campbell|Margaret “Peg” Winter]] in 1950.  
  
 
See:
 
See:
 
* [[John W. Campbell -- An Australian Tribute]]
 
* [[John W. Campbell -- An Australian Tribute]]
 
* [[Baycon Reminiscence (Pohl)]]
 
* [[Baycon Reminiscence (Pohl)]]
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* ''John W. Campbell Letters'' (1958)
 
* ''Astounding'' by [[Alec Nevala-Lee]] (2018)
 
* ''Astounding'' by [[Alec Nevala-Lee]] (2018)
 
* [https://calisphere.org/item/ark:/86086/n22805zz/ Photo] at [[Discon I]], 1963.  
 
* [https://calisphere.org/item/ark:/86086/n22805zz/ Photo] at [[Discon I]], 1963.  
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{{recognition}}
 
{{recognition}}
  
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His list of [[Hugo]] nominations and wins is impressive, especially considering that by far the most important part of his career happened before the Hugos were instituted:  Under his editorship, ''[[Astounding]]'' was nominated for [[Best Professional Magazine]] from 1953 to 1972, winning in 1953-1957, 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1965.  In addition, he won the [[Best Professional Editor]] [[Retro Hugo]] all three times it was awarded, for 1946, 1951, and 1954.
+
His list of [[Hugo]] nominations and wins is impressive, especially considering that by far the most important part of his career happened before the Hugos were instituted:  Under his editorship, ''[[Astounding]]'' was nominated for [[Best Professional Magazine]] from 1953 to 1972, winning in 1953-1957, 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1965.  In addition, he won the [[Best Professional Editor Retro Hugo]] all every time it was awarded, for 1939, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1951, and 1954, and the [[1939 Best Novella Retro Hugo]].
  
 
* 1947 -- '''[[Philcon I]]'''
 
* 1947 -- '''[[Philcon I]]'''
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* 1971 -- [[Lunacon 14]], [[First Fandom Hall of Fame Award]]
 
* 1971 -- [[Lunacon 14]], [[First Fandom Hall of Fame Award]]
  
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The [[Campbell Award]] was named after him.  It was for new writers, and reflects the enormous impact he had on the field through the discovery, development and encouragement of new writers. However, Campbell became a controversial figure in 2019 when that year’s award winner denounced him as a fascist in her acceptance speech, and the award was renamed the Astounding Award.
 
−
 
−
There is also the [[John W. Campbell Memorial Award]], which is different.
 
  
  

Revision as of 13:21, 31 January 2021

(June 8, 1910 – July 11, 1971)

Campbell1932.jpeg

John W. Campbell, Jr., was an early sf writer, editor of Astounding from 1938 to 1971, principal creator of the Golden Age of SF, discoverer of Heinlein, Asimov, van Vogt, Sturgeon, and many other writers, acclaimed editor, opinionated crank, and all in all, probably the most important and influential person in the history of sf. He was one of the two people (with Robert A. Heinlein) to have three times been Worldcon GoH: Philcon, SFCon, and Loncon.

He is the main subject of the excellent 2018 history Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction by Alec Nevala-Lee, the story of Campbell and Astounding Science Fiction. It's not exactly a biography of Campbell, but it is the closest thing we have.

Campbell wrote sf under the pennames of Don A. Stuart (taken from his then-wife's maiden name of Doña Stewart), and Karl van Campen. (As Don Stuart, he was a bit character in Rocket to the Morgue.) Probably his most important writing was done under the Don A. Stuart penname in the 1930s.

At a time when sf was still basically pulp adventure, he wrote stories which stand up well even today. Probably his most famous story is "Who Goes There?". Other significant Don A. Stuart stories include "Twilight" and "Forgetfulness".

Campbell was a huge correspondent, writing legendary letters to his writers critiquing their stories and often inspiring them. Perry Chapdelaine published two volumes of the John W. Campbell Letters composed of letters by Campbell.

He was highly opinionated and prone to taking contrarian viewpoints. When he began championing pseudoscience, such as Dianetics, he alienated many in the sf community. Campbell wrote controversial essays and letters supporting segregation, and made repellent remarks regarding slavery and race. He pressed Jewish writers in his stable to take Anglo pseudonyms, in the belief that they would sell better. Frederik Pohl said that Isaac Asimov escaped this only because he had previously been published under his own name.

Among Campbell’s oft-quoted opinions: “Sex and Science Fiction Don't Mix.”

The Campbell Award was named after him. It was for new writers, and reflects the enormous impact he had on the field through the discovery, development and encouragement of new writers. However, Campbell became a controversial figure in 2019 when that year’s award winner denounced him as a fascist in her acceptance speech, and the award was renamed the Astounding Award.

There is also the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, which is different.

He attended the First Worldcon in 1939.

He was married twice, to Doña from 1931–49 (they named one of their daughters for Leslyn Heinlein) and then to Margaret “Peg” Winter in 1950.

See:

Awards, Honors and GoHships:

His list of Hugo nominations and wins is impressive, especially considering that by far the most important part of his career happened before the Hugos were instituted: Under his editorship, Astounding was nominated for Best Professional Magazine from 1953 to 1972, winning in 1953-1957, 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1965. In addition, he won the Best Professional Editor Retro Hugo all every time it was awarded, for 1939, 1941, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1951, and 1954, and the 1939 Best Novella Retro Hugo.


Person 1910—1971
This is a biography page. Please extend it by adding more information about the person, such as fanzines and apazines published, awards, clubs, conventions worked on, GoHships, impact on fandom, external links, anecdotes, etc. See Standards for People and The Naming of Names.

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