Difference between revisions of "Douglas Adams"

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(1952 – 2001)
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(March 11, 1952 – May 11, 2001)
  
 
'''Douglas Noel Adams''', an [[English]] [[SF]] writer, [[humor]]ist, and script writer, is best remembered as the author of ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'', a chronicle of the misadventures of Arthur Dent, the last Earthman.  
 
'''Douglas Noel Adams''', an [[English]] [[SF]] writer, [[humor]]ist, and script writer, is best remembered as the author of ''The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'', a chronicle of the misadventures of Arthur Dent, the last Earthman.  
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It originated in 1978 as a quirky six-episode BBC radio comedy before developing into further seasons (called “fits”), a series of five books that sold millions of copies in Adams’ lifetime, a television series, stage plays, comics, a computer game, and a feature film in 2005.
 
It originated in 1978 as a quirky six-episode BBC radio comedy before developing into further seasons (called “fits”), a series of five books that sold millions of copies in Adams’ lifetime, a television series, stage plays, comics, a computer game, and a feature film in 2005.
  
[[U.S.]] [[fans]] who traveled to the [[UK]] and visiting [[Britfen]] in the late ’70s brought back cassettes and shared them around, so the program was already well-known in American [[fandom]] by the time it was aired on PBS in 1981. The cheesy TV further enamored fans, and the series spawned many popular [[catchphrases]], including ''' “...almost, but not quite, entirely unlike...”  “Always know where your towel is,” “Don't Panic,” “[[42]],” “Mostly Harmless,” “Share and Enjoy,”''' and '''“So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.”'''
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[[U.S.]] [[fans]] who traveled to the [[UK]] and visiting [[Britfen]] in the late ’70s brought back cassettes and shared them around, so the program was already well-known in American [[fandom]] by the time it aired on NPR in 1981. The cheesy TV further enamored fans, and the series spawned many popular [[catchphrases]], including ''' “...almost, but not quite, entirely unlike...”  “Always know where your towel is,” “Don't Panic,” “[[42]],” “Mostly Harmless,” “Share and Enjoy,”''' and '''“So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.”'''
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Adams died of a heart attack at age 49. On May 25, 2001, two weeks after his death, his fans organized a tribute called '''Towel Day''', held annually ever since.
  
 
*[http://douglasadams.com Website.]
 
*[http://douglasadams.com Website.]
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{{recognition}}
 
{{recognition}}
* 1980 -- [[Pat Terry Award for Humour in SF]]
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* 1978 -- [[BSFA Award]]
* 2005 -- [[DemiCon 16]]
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* 1979 -- [[1979 Best Dramatic Presentation Hugo]] nomination
* 2008 -- [[Balticon 42]]
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* 1980 -- [[Pat Terry Award for Humour in SF]], [[BSFA Award]]
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* 2001 -- Asteroid 18610 named Arthurdent
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'''Posthumous honors:'''
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* 2003 -- [[Diversicon 11]]
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* 2005 -- [[DemiCon 16]], asteroid 25924 Douglasadams named
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* 2008 -- [[Balticon 42]]  
 
* 2013 -- [[Conjecture 2013]]
 
* 2013 -- [[Conjecture 2013]]
 
* 2015 -- [[Loscon 42]]
 
* 2015 -- [[Loscon 42]]
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* 2017 -- [[Swancon 42]]
  
 
{{person | born=1952 | died=2001}}
 
{{person | born=1952 | died=2001}}
 
[[Category:pro]]
 
[[Category:pro]]
 
[[Category:UK]]
 
[[Category:UK]]

Revision as of 18:51, 22 March 2021

(March 11, 1952 – May 11, 2001)

Douglas Noel Adams, an English SF writer, humorist, and script writer, is best remembered as the author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a chronicle of the misadventures of Arthur Dent, the last Earthman.

It originated in 1978 as a quirky six-episode BBC radio comedy before developing into further seasons (called “fits”), a series of five books that sold millions of copies in Adams’ lifetime, a television series, stage plays, comics, a computer game, and a feature film in 2005.

U.S. fans who traveled to the UK and visiting Britfen in the late ’70s brought back cassettes and shared them around, so the program was already well-known in American fandom by the time it aired on NPR in 1981. The cheesy TV further enamored fans, and the series spawned many popular catchphrases, including “...almost, but not quite, entirely unlike...” “Always know where your towel is,” “Don't Panic,” “42,” “Mostly Harmless,” “Share and Enjoy,” and “So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.”

Adams died of a heart attack at age 49. On May 25, 2001, two weeks after his death, his fans organized a tribute called Towel Day, held annually ever since.

Awards, Honors and GoHships:

Posthumous honors:


Person 19522001
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