Cyril M. Kornbluth(1923-1958)
- Writer
Cyril Kornbluth was one of the sadly short-lived lights of 1950s
science fiction. Born in 1923 in New York City, Kornbluth was a fan of
SF from an early age. He became a member of the Futurians, an
influential fan club that that also had such members as Isaac Asimov and
Damon Knight.
His first story was published at the age of 15, and he became a prolific contributor to the pulp science fiction market. His early career was interrupted by WWII; Kornbluth served in Europe, and was injured at the Battle of the Bulge. After the war was over, he returned to writing, publishing many solo and colabrative work (the latter primarily with writer/editor Fred Pohl). His work was typified by a dark cynicism; for example, "The Marching Morons" (1951), predicts a future where Earth is inhabited by only the stupid. Due to his injuries from WWII, and his heavy smoking, Kornbluth suffered from hypertension. He was on way to a job interview to become editor of "The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction" when he suffered a fatal heart attack at the train station. He was only 35.
His first story was published at the age of 15, and he became a prolific contributor to the pulp science fiction market. His early career was interrupted by WWII; Kornbluth served in Europe, and was injured at the Battle of the Bulge. After the war was over, he returned to writing, publishing many solo and colabrative work (the latter primarily with writer/editor Fred Pohl). His work was typified by a dark cynicism; for example, "The Marching Morons" (1951), predicts a future where Earth is inhabited by only the stupid. Due to his injuries from WWII, and his heavy smoking, Kornbluth suffered from hypertension. He was on way to a job interview to become editor of "The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction" when he suffered a fatal heart attack at the train station. He was only 35.
