Frederik Pohl
Frederik Pohl
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A renowned science fiction writer, editor, and advocate for civil liberties, Frederik Pohl left an indelible mark on the literary world.
Full Name and Common Aliases
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Frederik George Pohl was born on November 4, 1919. He is often referred to by his pen name, James Ferguson.
Birth and Death Dates
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November 4, 1919 – September 2, 2013
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Pohl held American nationality and worked as a writer, editor, and anthologist for most of his career. He is best known for his contributions to the science fiction genre.
Early Life and Background
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Born in New York City to Polish immigrant parents, Pohl's early life was marked by financial struggles. His family moved frequently due to his father's work as a tailor. Pohl developed an interest in writing at an early age and began submitting stories to pulp magazines while still in high school.
Major Accomplishments
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Pohl's writing career spanned over six decades, during which he published numerous novels, short stories, and essays. Some of his notable works include:
Gateway (1977) - a novel that won the Nebula Award for Best Novel
The Space Merchants (1953) - a dystopian novel co-authored with C.M. Kornbluth
* Starboard Shine (1984) - a collection of short stories
Pohl also served as an editor-in-chief at Galaxy Magazine, where he played a significant role in shaping the science fiction genre.
Notable Works or Actions
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In addition to his literary contributions, Pohl was an advocate for civil liberties and social justice. He was involved with various organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Writers Union.
Impact and Legacy
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Pohl's impact on science fiction extends beyond his own writing. His editorial work helped launch the careers of several notable authors, including Harlan Ellison and Roger Zelazny.
His advocacy for civil liberties and social justice inspired many readers to engage with these issues in a more meaningful way.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Pohl's influence can be seen in various aspects of science fiction. His writing often explored complex themes, such as the consequences of technological advancements and the importance of human relationships.
His commitment to social justice and civil liberties continues to inspire readers today.
Quotes by Frederik Pohl
Frederik Pohl's insights on:
I should have been a pair of ragged claws.’ The self-deprecation of mass man carried to its symbolic limit. How does he see himself? Not merely as a crustacean. Not even as a crustacean, only the very abstraction of a crustacean: claws. And ragged, at that. In the next line we see-.
Cornut knew that that was what the immortals wanted. They had kept their herd of contended, helpless, shortlived cattle long enough. The herd had prospered until it competed with its unseen owners for food and space. Like any good husbandman, the immortals had decided to thin the herd out.
Advertising reaches out to touch the fantasy part of people’s lives. And you know, most people’s fantasies are pretty sad.
I’m so busy listening to the heart that I don’t even hear when somebody asks me to pass the salt.
The FDA just ordered them off the market. The glaze is supposed to be poison – provided you drink at least forty cups of tea out of one of them every day of your life for twenty years.
I did that for 40 years or more. I never had any writer’s block. I got up in the morning, sat down at the typewriter – now, computer – lit up a cigarette.
I’m doing a book, ‘Chasing Science,’ about the pleasures of science as a spectator sport.
There are people who never pass a certain point in their emotional development. They cannot live a normal free-and-easy, give-and-take life with a sexual partner for more than a short time. Something inside them will not tolerate happiness. The better it gets, the more they have to destroy it.
And so in that moment he completes the process of growing up. And begins the process of dying. Which is much the same thing.