 |
Mark CliftonAmerican science fiction writer
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Career as Psychologist
- Literary Beginnings
- Retirement and Writing Career
- Notable Series
- Legacy
Early Life and Education
Mark Irwin Clifton was born in 1906, but the lack of knowledge about his parents led to his upbringing in an Arkansas orphanage. Despite these humble beginnings, Clifton pursued higher education, ultimately graduating with a degree in education.
Career as Psychologist
Clifton's professional career began as a psychologist for an employment agency. His responsibilities included interviewing potential hires and conducting psychological assessments.
Literary Beginnings
Alongside his day job, Clifton began publishing short stories in magazines. His debut story, "What Have I Done?," was released in 1952.
Retirement and Writing Career
Upon retiring in the early 1950s, Clifton dedicated his time to writing, producing three novels and numerous short stories and novellas. Over a third of these works were written in collaboration with others.
Notable Series
Clifton is best known for two science fiction series:BOSSIE Series:This series centered around the titular supercomputer and its interactions with humans.
Ralph Kennedy Series:This series followed the adventures of interplanetary psychologist Ralph Kennedy.
Legacy
Clifton's novel "They'd Rather Be Right" won the 1955 Hugo Award for Best Novel. However, the subsequent inclusion of this work on a list of the worst science fiction novels of all time by critic David Langford has cast a shadow over Clifton's legacy. Nonetheless, his contributions to the genre remain notable and have left a mark on the world of science fiction.
