Clark Ashton Smith
Clark Ashton Smith (1893-1961) was an American writer and poet known for his contributions to early science fiction and fantasy literature during the 1920s and 1930s. Born in Long Valley, California, Smith left school at fourteen to support his family but continued to pursue his passion for writing. He became a notable figure in the "pulps," which were magazines that published genre fiction on inexpensive paper. His stories often blurred the lines between science fiction and fantasy, featuring interplanetary adventures and fantastical realms, with a focus on escapism from mundane reality. Smith's imaginative works inspired contemporaries like H.P. Lovecraft and August Derleth. Despite his prolific output, he struggled with poverty and health issues throughout his life. In 1954, he married Carolyn Johnes Dorman, and later took a part-time job as a gardener to supplement his income. Smith passed away in 1961 following a stroke, leaving behind a legacy of rich, imaginative storytelling.
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Clark Ashton Smith
- Born: January 13, 1893
- Birthplace: Long Valley, California
- Died: August 14, 1961
- Place of death: Pacific Grove, California
Biography
Clark Ashton Smith was born on Jauary 13, 1893, in Long Valley, California. His parents were Timeus and Mary Frances Smith. His father was the night clerk at a hotel, and the meagerness of the hotel wages may well have driven the son to leave school at the age of fourteen to begin working. However, Smith continued to write stories and poems even after his formal education ended.
In the 1920’s and 1930’s, Smith became a prominent contributer to the early science-fiction and fantasy magazines, commonly known as the “pulps” for the cheap paper on which they were printed. In those days, the dividing line between science fiction and fantasy was less firm than it would ultimately become, and while some of his works did use elements typically considered to denote science fiction, such as far- future settings, the overall feel of his works was often closer to the fantastic.
For instance, Smith’s early interplanetary-advanture stories such as “Marooned in Andromeda” and “The Amazing Planet” use space travel primarily as a device to transport his protagonists to a place where they can have fantastic adventures, with little attention to the precise technological nature of the devices. Many of his stories reflect a longing for a better reality than the drab world of mundane life. Protagonists may travel through dimensional doorways or by technological means, but all those methods are merely means to take them to a place which is more desirable than the ordinary and mundane.
Smith’s works became an inspiration for such writers as H. P. Lovecraft and August Derleth. Although Smith was a prolific writer, he faced a continual struggle with poverty and ill health. In 1954, he married Carolyn Johnes Dorman. He finally took a part-time job as a gardener in order to bring in some extra money. He suffered a stroke in 1961, and after several months he died, on August 14, 1961.