Groff Conklin
Groff Conklin was an influential figure in American literature, particularly known for his contributions to the science fiction genre. Born on September 6, 1904, in Glenridge, New Jersey, he pursued his education at prestigious institutions, including Dartmouth College, Harvard University, and Columbia University, ultimately earning his B.A. in 1927. Conklin's career began in the book industry, managing Doubleday Bookstores before transitioning into various editorial roles and freelance writing, particularly during World War II. He gained recognition as a science-fiction anthologist, editing over forty volumes, including the acclaimed "A Treasury of Science Fiction" in 1948 and "Thirteen Above the Nights" in 1965, where his name was synonymous with quality.
Conklin was also a writer for Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, where he penned a popular book review column. His work extended beyond science fiction, contributing to various publications and serving as a consultant for the American Diabetes Association. Notably, he authored "The Weather-Conditioned House," a practical guide published in 1958. Conklin faced health challenges related to smoking, which ultimately led to his premature death on July 19, 1968, in Pawling, New York, at the age of sixty-three. His legacy continues to influence the science fiction community and readers today.
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Groff Conklin
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- Born: September 6, 1904
- Birthplace: Glenridge, New Jersey
- Died: July 19, 1968
- Place of death: Pawling, New York
Biography
Edward Groff Conklin was born in Glenridge, New Jersey on September 6, 1904. He was educated at Dartmouth College for two years, then at Harvard University, and finally earned his B.A. at Colombia University in 1927. He began his career as manager of Doubleday Bookstores (1930-1934) and drifted restlessly through a series of jobs in the 1930’s and 1940’s. He worked for several government agencies during the World War II. He intermittently held various editing positions in and out of commercial publishing throughout his life but was primarily regarded as a freelance writer.
Conklin is best known as a science-fiction anthologist. His career in this field began in 1946, and he went on to edit more than forty volumes, including A Treasury of Science Fiction (1948), and 1965’s Thirteen Above the Nights. The presence of Groff Conklin’s name on a science fiction anthology was regarded as a guarantee of quality.
Conklin married Lucy Tempkin on October 1, 1937. They collaborated on The Supernatural Reader in 1953. She died the following year. Four years later, he married Florence Alexander Wohlken on June 5, 1958. Conklin wrote a book review column, “Galaxy’s Five-Star Shelf,” for Galaxy Science Fiction magazine, from its first issue in October 1950 until October 1955. He also wrote general articles outside the science fiction field and was book editor for Robert McBride & Co. and later was scientific researcher for the N. W. Ayer & Son advertising agency. He was editorial and writing consultant to the American Diabetes Association and consultant science fiction editor for Collier Books. For the last three years of his life he was science editor for The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. His book, The Weather-Conditioned House, published in 1958, is not science fiction; it is a practical discussion of the methods of weather- conditioning a house. It was reissued, with an update, in 1982. Conklin’s life was shortened by a heavy smoking habit that eventually killed him. He died on July 19, 1968, at Pawling, New York. He was sixty-three.