David Kyle
Encyclopedia
David A. Kyle is a Potsdam, New York
-based science fiction
writer and prominent member of science fiction fandom
.
, Kyle founded Gnome Press
in 1948. He has written two pictorial histories of science fiction (A Pictorial History of Science Fiction and The Illustrated Book of Science Fiction Ideas and Dreams) and three licensed novels set in the Lensman
universe (The Dragon Lensman, Lensman from Rigel and Z-Lensman).
He appeared with Paul Levinson
, Greg Bear
and many others on the History Channel's 2002 documentary
, Fantastic Voyage: Evolution of Science Fiction.
, was an original member of New York's Futurians
.
He attended the first
Worldcon
, and both wrote and printed the "Yellow Pamphlet" condemning the organizers. The manifesto
led chairman Sam Moskowitz
to ban several prominent members of the Futurians from that convention.
Kyle chaired the 1956 14th World Science Fiction Convention
(NyCon II), inspiring the fan catchphrase, "Dave Kyle says you can't sit here." He was created a Knight of The Order of Saint Fantony in 1961, and was awarded the Big Heart Award in 1973. Kyle was also Fan Guest of Honor at ConStellation, the 41st World Science Fiction Convention
, in 1983.
In addition, he has written hundreds of articles for various fanzine
s, including regular articles for Richard and Nicki Lynch's Mimosa
.
Kyle married another fan, Ruth Evelyn Landis (whom he had met through fandom), on August 31, 1957; for their honeymoon
they flew to England for the 1957 Worldcon there, together with 53 friends and in-laws, on a specially chartered flight
. They remained married until her death on January 5, 2011. They had a son Arthur and a daughter Kerry.
Potsdam (town), New York
Potsdam is a town located in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 15,957 at the 2000 census. The ZIP code is 13676. The town is named after the city of Potsdam in Germany...
-based science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
writer and prominent member of science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
.
Professional career
With Martin GreenbergMartin Greenberg
Martin Greenberg is an American book publisher and editor of science fiction anthologies.-Biography:Greenberg married in 1941. He was in the U.S...
, Kyle founded Gnome Press
Gnome Press
Gnome Press was an American small-press publishing company primarily known for publishing many science fiction classics.The company was founded in 1948 by Martin Greenberg and David A. Kyle. Many of Gnome's titles were reprinted in England by Boardman Books...
in 1948. He has written two pictorial histories of science fiction (A Pictorial History of Science Fiction and The Illustrated Book of Science Fiction Ideas and Dreams) and three licensed novels set in the Lensman
Lensman
The Lensman series is a serial science fiction space opera by Edward Elmer "Doc" Smith. It was a runner-up for the Hugo award for best All-Time Series ....
universe (The Dragon Lensman, Lensman from Rigel and Z-Lensman).
He appeared with Paul Levinson
Paul Levinson
Paul Levinson is an American author and professor of communications and media studies at Fordham University in New York City. Levinson's novels, short fiction, and non-fiction works have been translated into twelve languages....
, Greg Bear
Greg Bear
Gregory Dale Bear is an American science fiction and mainstream author. His work has covered themes of galactic conflict , artificial universes , consciousness and cultural practices , and accelerated evolution...
and many others on the History Channel's 2002 documentary
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
, Fantastic Voyage: Evolution of Science Fiction.
Fandom
Kyle, an active fan since the earliest days of organized science fiction fandomScience fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
, was an original member of New York's Futurians
Futurians
The Futurians were a group of science fiction fans, many of whom became editors and writers as well. The Futurians were based in New York City and were a major force in the development of science fiction writing and science fiction fandom in the years 1937-1945.-Origins of the group:As described...
.
He attended the first
1st World Science Fiction Convention
The First World Science Fiction Convention was held in the Caravan Hall in New York from July 2 to July 4, 1939, in conjunction with the New York World's Fair, which was themed as "The World of Tomorrow"...
Worldcon
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
, and both wrote and printed the "Yellow Pamphlet" condemning the organizers. The manifesto
Manifesto
A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. Manifestos relating to religious belief are generally referred to as creeds. Manifestos may also be life stance-related.-Etymology:...
led chairman Sam Moskowitz
Sam Moskowitz
Sam Moskowitz was an early fan and organizer of interest in science fiction and, later, a writer, critic, and historian of the field.-Biography:...
to ban several prominent members of the Futurians from that convention.
Kyle chaired the 1956 14th World Science Fiction Convention
14th World Science Fiction Convention
The 14th World Science Fiction Convention, also known as NyCon II or NEWYORCON, was held August 31–September 3, 1956, at the Biltmore Hotel in New York, New York, USA....
(NyCon II), inspiring the fan catchphrase, "Dave Kyle says you can't sit here." He was created a Knight of The Order of Saint Fantony in 1961, and was awarded the Big Heart Award in 1973. Kyle was also Fan Guest of Honor at ConStellation, the 41st World Science Fiction Convention
41st World Science Fiction Convention
The 41st World Science Fiction Convention , also known as ConStellation, was held September 1-5, 1983, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.The chairman was Michael J. Walsh....
, in 1983.
In addition, he has written hundreds of articles for various fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
s, including regular articles for Richard and Nicki Lynch's Mimosa
Mimosa (magazine)
Mimosa was a science fiction fanzine edited by Richard Lynch and Nicki Lynch. It won six Hugo Awards for Best Fanzine and was nominated a total of 14 times ....
.
Kyle married another fan, Ruth Evelyn Landis (whom he had met through fandom), on August 31, 1957; for their honeymoon
Honeymoon
-History:One early reference to a honeymoon is in Deuteronomy 24:5 “When a man is newly wed, he need not go out on a military expedition, nor shall any public duty be imposed on him...
they flew to England for the 1957 Worldcon there, together with 53 friends and in-laws, on a specially chartered flight
Air charter
Air charter is the business of renting an entire aircraft as opposed to individual aircraft seats...
. They remained married until her death on January 5, 2011. They had a son Arthur and a daughter Kerry.