Judith Merril American and Canadian science fiction writer, editor and political activist Country: USA

1. Judith Merril: A Pioneer in Science Fiction
2. Early Life and Education
3. Embracing Science Fiction
4. Literary Success
5. Personal Life
6. Emigration to Canada
7. Advocacy for Science Fiction in Canada
8. Political Activism
9. Legacy

Judith Merril: A Pioneer in Science Fiction

Judith Josephine Grossman, known by her pen name Judith Merril, was an influential American and Canadian science fiction writer, editor, and political activist.

Early Life and Education

Born in Boston, Merril's early life was marked by her father's suicide and her mother's job search in the Bronx. She developed a keen interest in Zionist and Marxist ideologies during her teenage years.

Embracing Science Fiction

After high school, Merril pursued a career in professional writing. Her initial works were non-fiction sports articles, with her first science fiction story published in 1948. Her short story "Dead Center" was selected for the 1950 edition of "Best American Short Stories."

Literary Success

Merril's novel "Shadow on the Hearth" received critical acclaim for its insightful narrative and exploration of the consequences of nuclear war. Reviewers praised it as "a warm, humanistic novel" and "a chilling reflection of a larger catastrophe."

Personal Life

Merril married Dan Zissman in 1940 and had a daughter in 1942. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1945. She married writer Frederik Pohl in 1948, and they had a second child in 1950. Their union dissolved in 1952. Merril remarried in 1960, but divorced again in 1963.

Emigration to Canada

In the late 1960s, Merril moved to Canada, citing the undemocratic actions of the US government. She became a consultant at Rochdale College and made significant contributions to the Toronto Public Library's science fiction collection.

Advocacy for Science Fiction in Canada

As an advocate for science fiction in her adopted country, Merril edited "Tesseract," Canada's first science fiction anthology, in 1985. She became a Canadian citizen in 1976.

Political Activism

In her later years, Merril became actively involved in the Canadian peace movement. She participated in demonstrations against the testing of American cruise missiles over Canada, often wearing a witch costume to "hex Parliament."

Legacy

Merril's body of work, spanning 26 short stories and several anthology edits, cemented her legacy as a trailblazing figure in science fiction. Her contributions to both the genre and the Canadian literary landscape continue to be celebrated today.