Kurt Brand
Kurt Brand was a notable German author born on May 10, 1917, in Wuppertal, Germany. He is recognized as one of the founders of German science fiction, contributing significantly to the genre's development and popularity in Germany. Prior to World War II, he wrote various Western and mystery novels, showcasing his versatility as a writer. After the war, Brand established a large private lending library in Cologne, reflecting his deep appreciation for literature. Between 1946 and 1959, he produced nineteen science fiction novels and numerous works in other genres.
In 1961, Brand joined the team behind the popular Perry Rhodan series, where he wrote thirty-eight installments before parting ways due to creative differences. He later created his own series, Ren Dhark, though it did not achieve the same level of success. Brand eventually reconciled with the Perry Rhodan series in 1991, delighting fans at the Perry Rhodan Worldcon. He passed away on November 8, 1991, in Kaltern, Italy, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering figure in German science fiction.
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Kurt Brand
Writer
- Born: May 10, 1917
- Birthplace: Wuppertal, Germany
- Died: November 8, 1991
- Place of death: Kaltern, Italy
Biography
Kurt Brand was born on May 10, 1917, in Wuppertal, Germany. Even before World War II, Brand was already working as an author and wrote numerous Westerns and mysteries. Generally acknowledged to be one of the founders of German science fiction, Brand’s works assuredly helped to popularize the genre in Germany and to introduce German science fiction to the rest of the world. As well, at the conclusion of World War II, Brand developed and established one of Germany’s largest private lending libraries in Cologne. This fact simply serves to reinforce Brand’s lifelong interest in and love of books and the printed word. After this, he went to live in Kaltern (Südtirol) in Italy with his family.
Between 1946 and 1959, Brand wrote nineteen science-fiction novels, as well as sixty-six novels in other genres. In the 1950’s, Brand, along with K. H. Scheer, Clark Darlton, and W. D. Rohr, ranked as foremost among those who helped to establish science fiction as a viable genre in Germany.
In 1961, Brand joined the writing team responsible for creating the Perry Rhodan series. The group formatted booklets, or dime novels, that were published on a weekly basis. An early work, Levtan, der Verräter (Cosmic Traitor), helped to establish the books as a popular favorite, and they later developed a cult following. The Perry Rhodan books were translated and printed in the United Kingdom and the United States in paperback form, and while popular with the general public, literary critics attacked the series, pointing out that any tired, overworked plot would eventually show up in the stories.
Between 1961 and 1966, Brand wrote thirty-eight of the Perry Rhodan stories, but he severed his relationship with the series because of irreconcilable creative differences. He then created his own series, Ren Dhark, to compete with the Rhodan series. Unfortunately, that series did not meet with the same success as the original series did. He also plugged in as an author for various established series with greater and lesser degrees of success. Brand reconciled with the Perry Rhodan series in 1991 and appeared at the Perry Rhodan Worldcon to the delight of his many fans. Brand died on November 8, 1991, in Kaltern, Italy, after a lingering illness.