Frank Riley
Frank Riley, born in 1915, is primarily recognized for his collaboration with Mark Clifton on the science-fiction novel *They'd Rather Be Right*, published in 1955 and later revised and republished under different titles. This novel explores themes of artificial intelligence and psychology through a narrative involving a telepath and an advanced computer named Bossy, which seeks to address the psychological roots of human aging. The work won the Hugo Award for Best Science-Fiction Novel, marking a significant achievement in Riley's career, which included a total of seven short stories published between 1955 and 1958.
Despite his limited output, Riley's stories were noted for their maturity and engaging style, and they often tackled complex themes, such as the nature of justice, identity, and the human condition. Notable works include "The Cyber and Justice Holmes," "Project Hi-Psi," and "Eddie," which blend science fiction with elements of thriller and social commentary. While Riley’s contributions to the genre may not be extensively reprinted, his influence persists, reflected in his thought-provoking narratives that engage with both technological advancements and fundamental human questions.
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Frank Riley
Author
- Born: 1915
- Died: 1996
Biography
Frank Riley, born in 1915, is best known for his collaboration with Mark Clifton on the science-fiction novel They’d Rather Be Right (1955). The novel was first published in Astounding Science Fiction magazine in 1954, revised in 1957, published as The Forever Machine in 1958, and republished under its original title in 1982. It was Clifton’s first and Riley’s only novel.
The novel is the last part of a series of stories concerning Bossy, an advanced computer which could confer many benefits on humanity but who is distrusted and feared by many. The protagonist is a telepath who is helping to construct a machine which is expected to be able to predict the future. The machine, which today would be called an artificial intelligence device, comes up with a way to extend people’s lives through psychology, having decided that psychological problems are the major reason for human aging.
Clifton started the series with “Crazy Joey” (1953), coauthored with Alex Apostolides. The two also collaborated on the next story in the series, “Hide! Hide! Witch!” (1953), and then Clifton and Riley collaborated on the final longer story. They’d Rather Be Right won the 1955 Hugo Award for Best Science-Fiction Novel from the Science Fiction Writers of America. It was only the second year that the organization had presented the award.
At the time of his collaboration with Riley, Clifton was retired after working as an industrial psychologist for twenty years. He published two other novels, Eight Keys to Eden (1960) and When They Come from Space (1962), before his death from lung cancer in 1963. They’d Rather Be Right was Clifton’s only collaboration with Riley.
In addition to the novel with Clifton, Riley published seven science-fiction stories between 1955 and 1958. This small number of publications, however, fails to reflect his influence on the science-fiction field. His first science-fiction story, “The Cyber and Justice Holmes” (1955), was chosen for inclusion in the annual best of science-fiction anthology. The story speculated if justice could be doled out more fairly by a human judge or by a computer. The editors of If: Worlds of Science Fiction, took note of Riley’s talent, saying that although he had been writing science-fiction for a short time, “his stuff has the maturity and easy-reading quality of the experienced craftsman.”
Other Riley stories included “Project Hi-Psi,” in which Riley offered an unconventional view of psychic talents; “Abbr.,” about the experiences of a colonist on another world returning for a visit to Earth and encountering a large number of unsettling changes on the home planet; “Eddie,” which combined the science-fiction and spy thriller genres; “Bright Islands,” which critics have described as Riley’s most off-beat story; “A Question of Identity,” which questions what makes a human being human; and “The Executioner,” a parable about courage standing up to overwhelming odds. Although never much reprinted beyond their initial magazine appearances, Riley’s body of short work was collected in electronic book format.