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Frederik Pohl Biography

Frederik Pohl, Writer
Born asFrederik George Pohl Jr.
Occup.Writer
FromUSA
BornNovember 26, 1919
New York City, New York, USA
DiedSeptember 2, 2013
Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA
CauseRespiratory failure
Aged93 years
Early Life and Education
Frederik George Pohl Jr. was born upon November 26, 1919, in New York City, New York, USA. Born into the busy environment of the metropolis, Pohl's early life was shaped by the cultural and social dynamics of New York during the interwar duration. He participated in Brooklyn Technical High School however left before finishing. Despite the absence of formal academic credentials, his insatiable curiosity led him to explore diverse topics, especially sci-fi, which would become his long-lasting enthusiasm.

Early Career and the Futurians
Pohl's entrance into the world of science fiction was marked by his participation with the Futurians, a group of young sci-fi fans and authors who emerged in the 1930s and 1940s. This circle consisted of noteworthy figures such as Isaac Asimov, James Blish, Damon Knight, and Donald A. Wollheim. The Futurians were devoted to not only enjoying science fiction however also actively adding to the category's evolution. Pohl, eager to make his mark, rapidly became an important part of this dynamic community.

In the late 1930s, Pohl started composing and editing for numerous sci-fi pulp magazines. By the age of 20, he became an editor at Astonishing Stories and Super Science Stories, which permitted him to cultivate his editorial skills and understanding of the publishing market.

World War II and Post-war Career
Pohl's career was briefly interrupted by World War II, throughout which he served in the U.S. Army Air Forces. After the war, he resumed his operate in sci-fi, both as an editor and a writer. In the 1950s, Pohl became a literary representative, representing a number of established and upcoming sci-fi writers. This period saw the growing of his networking abilities and his understanding of the science fiction market.

Partnerships and Major Works
Frederik Pohl is especially popular for his cooperations with fellow Futurian Cyril M. Kornbluth. Together, they produced sustaining works such as "The Space Merchants" (1952), a satirical take on consumerism and business power that stays relevant today. This novel is typically applauded for its prescient critique and creative world-building.

Pohl's solo career also progressed, with landmark works such as "Gateway" (1977), which won several prominent awards, consisting of the Hugo, Nebula, and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards. Known for its intricate narrative style and expedition of human and alien interaction, "Gateway" solidified Pohl's status as a leading figure in science fiction literature.

Later On Life and Recognition
Throughout his profession, Pohl continued to push the borders of science fiction, both thematically and stylistically. His influence extended beyond his writings, as he functioned as the editor of Galaxy Science Fiction and If magazines, where he championed innovative works and emerging authors.

In acknowledgment of his contributions to the genre, Pohl received many accolades, including numerous Hugo and Nebula Awards, a World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement, and induction into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 1998. Toward the end of his life, his narrative "The Way the Future Was" offered an insightful look into his experiences and the development of sci-fi as a cultural force.

Tradition and Death
Frederik Pohl died on September 2, 2013, in Palatine, Illinois, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire authors and fans alike. His dedication to science fiction, both as a writer and editor, has left an enduring mark on the genre, influencing numerous works and guaranteeing his location in literary history.

In summary, Frederik Pohl's life was a testament to the power of imagination and the effect of collaborative imagination, cementing his status as one of the most influential figures in sci-fi history.

Our collection contains 20 quotes who is written / told by Frederik.

Related authors: Isaac Asimov (Scientist), John W. Campbell (Writer), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Q: Drunkard's Walk Frederik Pohl
    A: 'Drunkard's Walk' is a science fiction novel by Frederik Pohl that involves mathematical probability and free will, set in a dystopian future.
  • Q: Gateway Frederik Pohl review
    A: 'Gateway' is praised for its imaginative world-building, psychological depth, and exploration of existential themes, adding depth to traditional science fiction tropes.
  • Q: Jem Frederik Pohl
    A: 'Jem' is a science fiction novel by Frederik Pohl, depicting the colonization of a distant planet amid political and ecological challenges.
  • Q: Gateway Frederik Pohl summary
    A: 'Gateway' is a novel about a space station built by an extinct alien race. Protagonist Robinette Broadhead navigates the risks and rewards of space missions using alien ships.
  • Q: Frederik Pohl Books in order
    A: Some key books by Frederik Pohl in order of publication are 'The Space Merchants' (co-authored), 'Gateway,' 'Man Plus,' and 'Jem.'
  • Q: Frederik Pohl Chernobyl
    A: Frederik Pohl co-authored a novel titled 'Chernobyl,' which dramatizes the events surrounding the nuclear disaster and its aftermath.
  • Q: Frederik Pohl Gateway series
    A: The Gateway series is part of Pohl's Heechee saga, which began with the novel 'Gateway,' focusing on space exploration and alien technology.
  • Q: Frederik Pohl Eschaton
    A: Frederik Pohl did not have a series or book titled 'Eschaton,' but he explored themes of future possibilities and societal evolution.
  • Q: How old was Frederik Pohl?
    A: He became 93 years old
Frederik Pohl Famous Works:
Source / external links:

20 Famous quotes by Frederik Pohl

Small: The head of Fermilab was reading Astonishing Stories when he was ten
"The head of Fermilab was reading Astonishing Stories when he was ten"
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Small: Stephen Hawking said he spent most of his first couple of years at Cambridge reading science fiction (a
"Stephen Hawking said he spent most of his first couple of years at Cambridge reading science fiction (and I believe that, because his grades weren't all that great)"
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Small: Im doing a book, Chasing Science, about the pleasures of science as a spectator sport
"I'm doing a book, 'Chasing Science,' about the pleasures of science as a spectator sport"
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Small: I dont think the scientific method and the science fictional method are really analogous. The thing abo
"I don't think the scientific method and the science fictional method are really analogous. The thing about them is that neither is really practiced very much, at least not consciously. But the fact that they are methodical does relate them"
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Small: Stories where the author has known very little, but run a computer program that tells him how to constr
"Stories where the author has known very little, but run a computer program that tells him how to construct a planet, and looked up specific things about rocketry and so on, really suck"
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Small: My first thought was always a cigarette. It still is, but I havent cheated
"My first thought was always a cigarette. It still is, but I haven't cheated"
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Small: I was thinking of writing a little foreword saying that history is, after all, based on peoples recolle
"I was thinking of writing a little foreword saying that history is, after all, based on people's recollections, which change with time"
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Small: You look at the world around you, and you take it apart into all its components. Then you take some of
"You look at the world around you, and you take it apart into all its components. Then you take some of those components, throw them away, and plug in different ones, start it up and see what happens"
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Small: The big new development in my life is, when I turned 80, I decided I no longer have to do four pages a
"The big new development in my life is, when I turned 80, I decided I no longer have to do four pages a day. For me, it's like retiring"
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Small: Thats the method: restructure the world we live in in some way, then see what happens
"That's the method: restructure the world we live in in some way, then see what happens"
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Small: The science fiction method is dissection and reconstruction
"The science fiction method is dissection and reconstruction"
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Small: My old English buddy, John Rackham, wrote and told me what made science fiction different from all othe
"My old English buddy, John Rackham, wrote and told me what made science fiction different from all other kinds of literature - science fiction is written according to the science fiction method"
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Small: Its clear that science and science fiction have overlapping populations
"It's clear that science and science fiction have overlapping populations"
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Small: If you dont care about science enough to be interested in it on its own, you shouldnt try to write hard
"If you don't care about science enough to be interested in it on its own, you shouldn't try to write hard science fiction. You can write like Ray Bradbury and Harlan Ellison as much as you want"
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Small: I did that for 40 years or more. I never had any writers block. I got up in the morning, sat down at th
"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"
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Small: Im pretty catholic about what constitutes science fiction
"I'm pretty catholic about what constitutes science fiction"
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Small: In terms of stories I would buy for a science fiction magazine, if they take place in the future, that
"In terms of stories I would buy for a science fiction magazine, if they take place in the future, that might do it"
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Small: A lot of the cosmologists and astrophysicists clearly had been reading science fiction
"A lot of the cosmologists and astrophysicists clearly had been reading science fiction"
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Small: People ask me how I do research for my science fiction. The answer is, I never do any research
"People ask me how I do research for my science fiction. The answer is, I never do any research"
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Small: A large fraction of the most interesting scientists have read a lot of SF at one time or another, eithe
"A large fraction of the most interesting scientists have read a lot of SF at one time or another, either early enough that it may have played a part in their becoming scientists or at some later date just because they liked the ideas"
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