Fletcher Pratt American writer Date of Birth: 25.04.1897 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Marriage and Literary Career
3. Work as a Military Analyst and Historical Writer
4. Naval War Game and Trap Door Spiders Club
5. Civil War Round Table and Award
6. Fantasy Collaborations and Notable Works
7. Writing Style and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Fletcher Pratt was born near Tonawanda, New York. He attended Hobart College for one year before embarking on a journalism career in 1920, working for the Buffalo Courier-Express and the Staten Island Advance.

Marriage and Literary Career

In 1926, Pratt married artist Inga Stephens. During the 1920s, he began selling stories to pulp magazines. A fire in his apartment in the 1930s prompted him to use insurance money to study at the Sorbonne for a year.

Work as a Military Analyst and Historical Writer

Pratt served as a military analyst for Time magazine. The magazine described him as a "bearded, gnomelike man" with a fondness for "training monkeys." He also wrote a column on historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction for the New York Times Book Review.

Naval War Game and Trap Door Spiders Club

Pratt is known for creating the "Fletcher Pratt Naval War Game," a tabletop simulation of World War II naval battles. The game involved detailed wooden ship miniatures and complex mathematical calculations. The renowned artist Jack Coggins was a frequent player. In 1944, Pratt founded the literary club Trap Door Spiders, inspired by the habits of trapdoor spiders that conceal their burrows.

Civil War Round Table and Award

Pratt was an active member of the Civil War Round Table, serving as its president in 1953-1954. After his death in 1956, the Round Table established the Fletcher Pratt Award, presented annually to the best non-fiction book on the Civil War.

Fantasy Collaborations and Notable Works

Aside from his historical works, Pratt collaborated with Lyon Sprague de Camp on fantasy novels, including the humorous "Harold Shea Stories." His novels "The Well of the Unicorn" and "The Blue Star" were also highly praised.

Writing Style and Legacy

Pratt wrote in a distinctive style reminiscent of Bernard DeVoto, to whom he dedicated one of his books. His wife, Inga Stevens Pratt, illustrated some of his works. Fletcher Pratt's contributions to naval history, fantasy literature, and historical writing continue to be admired and studied today.