A writer, Williamson wrote his first science fiction story in 1928 — three years before the term “science fiction” was coined. Considered “the” father of science fiction, Williamson coined plenty of words of his own, such as android and terraforming; he was also the first to discuss genetic engineering in fiction.
“If your father read science fiction,” novelist Frederik Pohl wrote, “he very likely counted Jack Williamson high among his favorite writers.” The amazing part of that quote: Pohl made it in 1953. “Science is the door to the future,” Williamson liked to say, “and science fiction is the golden key.”
He wrote well into his 90s, including two novels and at least 10 short stories. Williamson won both Hugo and Nebula awards, as well as the Science Fiction Writers of America’s Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. He died November 10 at his New Mexico home at age 98.
Author’s Note: Williamson was a lifelong friend of my father — they served together at a New Mexico air base during World War II. I called my father to tell him that Jack had died. He died himself a little over a year later.