John W. Campbell

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John Wood Campbell Jr. (June 8, 1910 – July 11, 1971) was an American science fiction writer and editor.

He was editor of Astounding Science Fiction (later called Analog Science Fiction and Fact) from late 1937 until his death and was part of the Golden Age of Science Fiction.

Campbell wrote super-science space opera under his own name and stories under his primary pseudonym, Don A. Stuart.

Campbell also used the pen names Karl Van Kampen and Arthur McCann.

His novella Who Goes There? was adapted as the films The Thing from Another World (1951), The Thing (1982), and The Thing (2011). Campbell began writing science fiction at age 18 while attending MIT.

He published six short stories, one novel, and six letters in the science fiction magazine Amazing Stories from 1930 to 1931.

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Writing career

Editor T. O'Conor Sloane lost Campbell's first book, "Invaders of the Infinite," he rejected for Amazing Stories. In January 1930, "When the Atoms Failed" first appeared in January 1930, followed by five more during 1930. The three children were included in a space opera series starring Arcot, Morey, and Wade. In the Spring 1931 Quarterly, the cover story in the series, Islands of Space, was the complete novel in the series. During 1934-1935, a serial novel called The Mightiest Machine, edited by F. Orlin Tremaine, appeared in Astounding Stories, and many stories about lead characters Penton and Blake appeared in Thrilling Wonder Stories, edited by Mort Weisinger.

Campbell's early work as a space adventure writer established him. Don A. Stuart, a pseudonym derived from his wife's maiden name, began to publish stories in 1934.

Campbell was prolific and profitable under both names from 1930 to the latter part of the decade. Twilight (Astounding, November 1934), Night (Astounding, October 1935), and Who Goes There are three major stories under pseudonym. (August 1938, Astounding) Who Goes There? A group of Antarctic researchers who discover a crashed alien vessel formerly inhabited by a malevolent shape-changing occupant was published in Astounding just a year after Campbell became its editor, and it was his last significant piece of fiction at age 28. It was shot as The Thing from Another World (1951), The Thing (1982), and then as The Thing (2011).

Campbell formerly used the amateur radio call sign W2ZGU and contributed to a number of magazines on electronics and radio.

Campbell was hired by Tremaine to replace Astounding's editor from its October 1937 issue. Campbell was not granted full responsibility for Astounding until May 1938, but he had been responsible for purchasing stories some years before. He began to make changes quickly, instigating a "mutant" label for strange tales, and in March 1938, he changed the name from Astounding Stories to Astounding Science-Fiction.

Lester del Rey's first story in March 1938 was an early discovery for Campbell, and he announced a group of new writers for the first time in 1939, and especially the July 1939 issue. The July issue contained A. E. van Vogt's first tale "Black Destroyer" and Asimov's early story "Trends," and Robert A. Heinlein's first story "Life-Line" appeared; next month, theodore Sturgeon's first story appeared; and Asimov's "Black Destroyer" was included.

Campbell founded Unknown in 1939 (later Unknown Worlds). Despite the fact that Unknown was canceled after only four years, as a result of wartime paper shortages, the magazine's editorial direction was crucial in the evolution of modern fantasy.

Editing career

Campbell was hired by Tremaine to replace Astounding's editor, who was unveiled in October 1937. Campbell did not have full authority for Astounding until May 1938, but he had been responsible for buying stories even earlier. He began to make changes quickly, inciting a "mutant" word for strange tales, and changing the name from Astounding Stories to Astounding Science-Fiction in March 1938.

Lester del Rey's first story, published in March 1938, was an early discovery for Campbell, and in 1939, he introduced such a diverse group of writers for the first time. The July issue contained A. E. van Vogt's first poem, "Black Destroyer," and Asimov's early story "Trends"; August brought Robert A. Heinlein's first story "Life-Line"; and the following month Theodore Sturgeon's first story appeared.

Campbell founded Unknown in 1939 (later Unknown Worlds). Although Unknown was cancelled after only four years, as a result of wartime paper shortages, the magazine's editorial direction was pivotal in modern fantasy's transition.

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