Robert A. W. Lowndes
Encyclopedia
Robert Augustine Ward "Doc" Lowndes (September 4, 1916 – July 14, 1998) was an American science fiction author, editor
and fan
. He was known best as the editor of Future Science Fiction
, Science Fiction
, and Science Fiction Quarterly
, among many other crime-fiction, western, sports-fiction, and other pulp
and digest-sized magazines for Columbia Publications. Among the most famous writers he was first to publish at Columbia was mystery writer Edward D. Hoch
, who in turn would contribute to Lowndes's fiction magazines as long as he was editing them.
Lowndes was also a horror
enthusiast—as a young fan, he received two letters of encouragement from H.P. Lovecraft in 1937. He wrote a number of dark fantasy
stories such as "The Abyss" (1941) and "The Leapers" (1942), inspired by Lovecraft. In 1963, Lowndes initiated the Magazine of Horror (1963–1971) for Health Knowledge Inc., which mixed reprints with new stories.
The magazine was popular and spawned several companion magazines: Startling Mystery Stories, Famous Science Fiction (both 1966) Weird Terror Tales (1969) and Bizarre Fantasy Fiction (1970). Lowndes also edited two non-fantastic-fiction magazines for the company,
Thrilling Western
Magazine (1967) and World Wide Adventure
(1967), along with the speculative nonfiction titles they published.
However, the collapse of Health Knowledge in 1971 ended these magazines. Startling Mystery Stories was notable for carrying the first stories of Stephen King
and F. Paul Wilson
. Lowndes subsequently
went on to work on the Gernsback Publications' non-fiction magazine, Sexology.
Lowndes was a principal member of the Futurians
. In 1991 he received the First Fandom Hall of Fame award
. He was a Methodist.
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
and fan
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...
. He was known best as the editor of Future Science Fiction
Future Science Fiction
Future Science Fiction was an American science fiction pulp magazine that was published under a number of different names between 1939 and 1943 and again from 1950 to 1960.- Publication history :...
, Science Fiction
Science Fiction (magazine)
Science Fiction is a Polish speculative fiction monthly magazine. It was established in 2001 under the name Science Fiction by Robert J. Szmidt, who was also the first editor...
, and Science Fiction Quarterly
Science Fiction Quarterly
Science Fiction Quarterly was an United States based pulp science fiction magazine that was originally published from 1940 to 1943 and then again from 1951 to 1958. While the magazine did not last long, it helped early science fiction writers reach early audiences in the genre. The magazine also...
, among many other crime-fiction, western, sports-fiction, and other pulp
Pulp magazine
Pulp magazines , also collectively known as pulp fiction, refers to inexpensive fiction magazines published from 1896 through the 1950s. The typical pulp magazine was seven inches wide by ten inches high, half an inch thick, and 128 pages long...
and digest-sized magazines for Columbia Publications. Among the most famous writers he was first to publish at Columbia was mystery writer Edward D. Hoch
Edward D. Hoch
Edward Dentinger Hoch was an American writer of detective fiction. Although he wrote several novels, he was primarily known for his vast output of over 950 short stories.-Biography:...
, who in turn would contribute to Lowndes's fiction magazines as long as he was editing them.
Lowndes was also a horror
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
enthusiast—as a young fan, he received two letters of encouragement from H.P. Lovecraft in 1937. He wrote a number of dark fantasy
Dark fantasy
Dark fantasy is a term used to describe a fantasy story with a pronounced horror element.-Overview:A strict definition for dark fantasy is difficult to pin down. Gertrude Barrows Bennett has been called "the woman who invented dark fantasy". Both Charles L...
stories such as "The Abyss" (1941) and "The Leapers" (1942), inspired by Lovecraft. In 1963, Lowndes initiated the Magazine of Horror (1963–1971) for Health Knowledge Inc., which mixed reprints with new stories.
The magazine was popular and spawned several companion magazines: Startling Mystery Stories, Famous Science Fiction (both 1966) Weird Terror Tales (1969) and Bizarre Fantasy Fiction (1970). Lowndes also edited two non-fantastic-fiction magazines for the company,
Thrilling Western
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
Magazine (1967) and World Wide Adventure
Adventure novel
The adventure novel is a genre of novels that has adventure, an exciting undertaking involving risk and physical danger, as its main theme.-History:...
(1967), along with the speculative nonfiction titles they published.
However, the collapse of Health Knowledge in 1971 ended these magazines. Startling Mystery Stories was notable for carrying the first stories of Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
and F. Paul Wilson
F. Paul Wilson
Francis Paul Wilson is an American author, primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. His debut novel was Healer . Wilson is also a part-time practicing family physician. He made his first sales in 1970 to Analog while still in medical school , and continued to write science fiction...
. Lowndes subsequently
went on to work on the Gernsback Publications' non-fiction magazine, Sexology.
Lowndes was a principal member of the 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...
. In 1991 he received the First Fandom Hall of Fame award
First Fandom Hall of Fame award
First Fandom Hall of Fame award is an annual award for contributions to the field of science fiction dating back more than 30 years. Contributions can be as a fan, writer, editor, artist, agent, or any combination of the five. It is awarded by First Fandom and is usually presented at the beginning...
. He was a Methodist.
Novels
- Mystery of the Third Mine, Philadelphia, Winston, 1953, 201p.
- The Duplicated ManThe Duplicated ManThe Duplicated Man is a science fiction novel written by James Blish and Robert Lowndes and published first in 1953 by Columbia Publications, and a second time in 1959 by Airmont Publishing by arrangement with Thomas Bouregy and Company, Inc....
(with James BlishJames BlishJames Benjamin Blish was an American author of fantasy and science fiction. Blish also wrote literary criticism of science fiction using the pen-name William Atheling, Jr.-Biography:...
), New York, Avalon, 1959 (first magazine publication 1953) - Believer's World, Avalon Books, 1961 (serialized in 1952), 224p.
- The Puzzle Planet, Ace Books, Ace Double D-485, 1961
Non-fiction
- Three Faces of Science Fiction: SF as Instruction, Propaganda, and Delight, Boston, NESFA Press, 1973, 96p.
- Orchids for Doc: The Literary Adventures and Autobiography of Robert A.W. "Doc" Lowndes (with Jeffrey M. Elliot), Borgo Press, Borgo Bioviews No 7, ISBN 0-89370-344-3,
- The Gernsback Days: A Study of the Evolution of Modern Science Fiction from 1911 to 1936 (with Mike AshleyMike Ashley (writer)Michael Ashley is a British bibliographer, author and editor of science fiction, mystery, and fantasy.He edits the long-running Mammoth Book series of short story anthologies, each arranged around a particular theme in mystery, fantasy, or science fiction...
), Wildside Press, 2004, ISBN 0-8095-1054-5 hardcover, ISBN 0-8095-1055-3 paperback, 500p. - "Introduction" in Dracula; New York: Airmont Publishing Company, Inc., 1965.
Editor
- Blish, James and Robert Lowndes. The Best of James Blish. New York: Ballantine Books, 1979. ISBN 0-345-25600-X