James H. Schmitz
Encyclopedia
James Henry Schmitz was an American
writer
born in Hamburg
, Germany
of American parents.
broke out in Europe in 1939.
During World War II, Schmitz served as an aerial photographer
in the Pacific
for the United States Army Air Corps
. After the war, he and his brother-in-law managed a business which manufactured trailers
until they ended the business in 1949.
Schmitz is best known as a writer of so-called "space opera
", and for strong female characters (such as Telzey Amberdon
and Trigger Argee
) that didn't conform to the damsel in distress
stereotype typical of science fiction during the time he was writing. His first published story was "Greenface", published in August 1943 in Unknown
.
Most of his works are part of the "Hub" series, though his best known novel is The Witches of Karres
, concerning juvenile "witches" with genuine psi
-powers and their escape from slavery
. Karres was nominated for a Hugo Award
. During recent years, his novels and short stories have been republished by Baen Books
, edited and with notes by Eric Flint
.
Schmitz died of congestive lung failure in 1981 after a five-week stay in the hospital in Los Angeles. He was survived by his wife, Betty Mae Chapman Schmitz.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
born in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
of American parents.
Life
Aside from two years at business school in Chicago, Schmitz lived in Germany until 1938, leaving before World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
broke out in Europe in 1939.
During World War II, Schmitz served as an aerial photographer
Aerial photography
Aerial photography is the taking of photographs of the ground from an elevated position. The term usually refers to images in which the camera is not supported by a ground-based structure. Cameras may be hand held or mounted, and photographs may be taken by a photographer, triggered remotely or...
in the Pacific
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
for the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
. After the war, he and his brother-in-law managed a business which manufactured trailers
Trailer (vehicle)
A trailer is generally an unpowered vehicle pulled by a powered vehicle. Commonly, the term trailer refers to such vehicles used for transport of goods and materials....
until they ended the business in 1949.
Schmitz is best known as a writer of so-called "space opera
Space opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
", and for strong female characters (such as Telzey Amberdon
Telzey Amberdon
Telzey Amberdon is the fictional character of the eponymous science fiction short story series by James H. Schmitz, taking place in his "The Federation of the Hub" fictional universe in mid-4th millennium. She is introduced as a fifteen-year-old genius, a first-year law student, living on the...
and Trigger Argee
Trigger Argee
Trigger Argee is a fictional character in a series of science fiction short stories by James H. Schmitz, starting from 1958. As her first name implies, she inherited the ability to be a crack shot with the sidearms of her day from her father. In the novel A Tale of Two Cocks she even operates...
) that didn't conform to the damsel in distress
Damsel in distress
The subject of the damsel in distress, or persecuted maiden, is a classic theme in world literature, art, and film. She is usually a beautiful young woman placed in a dire predicament by a villain or monster and who requires a hero to achieve her rescue. She has become a stock character of fiction,...
stereotype typical of science fiction during the time he was writing. His first published story was "Greenface", published in August 1943 in Unknown
Unknown (magazine)
Unknown was an American pulp fantasy fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1943 by Street & Smith, and edited by John W. Campbell. Unknown was a companion to Street & Smith's science fiction pulp, Astounding Science Fiction, which was also edited by Campbell at the time; many authors and...
.
Most of his works are part of the "Hub" series, though his best known novel is The Witches of Karres
The Witches of Karres
The Witches of Karres is a novel by James H. Schmitz. It is his best known book, and is considered a science fiction classic. It falls within the genre of space opera and features well-developed characters, a mix of both fantasy and hard science fiction as well as a sense of humor...
, concerning juvenile "witches" with genuine psi
Psi (parapsychology)
Psi is a term from parapsychology derived from the Greek, ψ psi, 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet; from the Greek ψυχή psyche, "mind, soul".-Etymology:...
-powers and their escape from slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
. Karres was nominated for a Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
. During recent years, his novels and short stories have been republished by Baen Books
Baen Books
Baen Books is an American publishing company established in 1983 by long time science fiction publisher and editor Jim Baen. It is a science fiction and fantasy publishing house that emphasizes space opera, hard science fiction, military science fiction, and fantasy...
, edited and with notes by Eric Flint
Eric Flint
Eric Flint is an American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works are alternate history science fiction, but he also writes humorous fantasy adventures.- Career :...
.
Schmitz died of congestive lung failure in 1981 after a five-week stay in the hospital in Los Angeles. He was survived by his wife, Betty Mae Chapman Schmitz.