Raymond Arthur Palmer American science fiction writer Date of Birth: 01.01.1910 Country: USA

1. Life and Early Career
2. Founding "The Comet" and Debut as an Author
3. Editorship of "Amazing Stories"
4. Embracing Entertainment
5. Later Years
6. Legacy

Life and Early Career

Raymond A. Palmer, born in Chicago in 1910, was an American science fiction writer, fan activist, and editor of "Amazing Stories" from 1938 to 1949. Despite a childhood spinal injury that left him a hunchback and stunted his growth, Palmer excelled in reading, particularly science fiction magazines. He emerged as an active member of the nascent science fiction fandom in the late 1920s.

Founding "The Comet" and Debut as an Author

In 1930, Palmer and fellow Chicago fan Walter Dennis created "The Comet," the first-ever fanzine. That same year, he published his own short story, "The Time Ray of Jandra," under the pseudonym Henry Gade. He continued to write under various pseudonyms, including Frank Patton, J. W. Pelkey, A. R. Steber, and Maurice J. Steele.

Editorship of "Amazing Stories"

In 1938, Ziff-Davis acquired "Amazing Stories" and hired Palmer, then a well-known local expert, to replace retiring editor Thomas O'Conor Sloane. Palmer's contributions were significant: he published Isaac Asimov's debut story, "Marooned Off Vesta." He also fueled the popularity of "Weird Tales" author Richard Shaver, hinting that his stories were based on real paranormal experiences.

Embracing Entertainment

Under Palmer's leadership, "Amazing Stories" famously shifted its focus from "scientifiction" to more purely entertaining science fiction, breaking away from genre norms. He launched "Fantastic Adventures" in 1939, further solidifying his "light fiction" approach. This move drew mixed reactions from fans, but it broadened the magazine's appeal to younger readers and influenced the editorial policies of other science fiction publishers.

Later Years

In 1949, Palmer left Ziff-Davis to establish Clark Publishing Company, which produced "Imagination" and "Other Worlds" magazines but achieved limited success. He remained a fan enthusiast, promoting paranormal phenomena and UFOs. His focus on these topics alienated him from much of the American fandom.

Legacy

Raymond Palmer's impact on the science fiction world cannot be overstated. His editorship of "Amazing Stories" introduced new talents and popularized entertaining science fiction. His influence shaped the direction of the genre in the mid-20th century. The superhero Atom in DC Comics was named after him, honoring his contributions to science fiction.