Gordon R. Dickson
Encyclopedia
Gordon Rupert Dickson was an American
science fiction
author.
, Minnesota
, in 1937. He served in the United States Army, from 1943 to 1946, and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota
, in 1948. From 1948 through 1950 he attended the University of Minnesota for graduate work.
Dickson is probably most famous for his Childe Cycle
and the Dragon Knight series
. He won three Hugo award
s and one Nebula award
.
For a great part of his life, he suffered from the effects of asthma
.
has characterized Dickson as a "gregarious, engaging, genial, successful man of letters", who had not been an introvert. Clute considers Dickson a science fiction romantic. The early Canadian years are not thought to have exerted an all-too strong influence onto the author's work. Nevertheless, Clute stresses in connection to Dickson that science fiction
welcomes "images of heightened solitude, romantically vague, limitless landscapes, and an anguished submission to afflatus", due to its origin in Gothic fiction
.
, with whom he collaborated in the Hoka series, "[tends] to infuse an austere Nordic pathos into wooded, rural midwestern American settings". His works often have (misogynistic) mercenaries as their protagonists and deal with aliens that are "less deracinated and more lovable than humans" (Clute). They "are inclined to take on a heightened, sagalike complexion" (Clute), particularly through the insertion of lyric poetry that is sometimes rather inferior.
s
Nebula Award
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
author.
Biography
Dickson was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1923. After the death of his father, he moved with his mother to MinneapolisMinneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, in 1937. He served in the United States Army, from 1943 to 1946, and received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, in 1948. From 1948 through 1950 he attended the University of Minnesota for graduate work.
Dickson is probably most famous for his Childe Cycle
Childe Cycle
The Childe Cycle is an unfinished series of science fiction novels by Gordon R. Dickson. The name Childe Cycle is an allusion to Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came, a poem by Robert Browning, which provided considerable inspiration for elements in Dickson's magnum opus.The series is sometimes...
and the Dragon Knight series
Dragon Knight
The Dragon Knight is a series of fantasy novels by Gordon R. Dickson . The first book informed the 1982 animated movie The Flight of Dragons by Rankin/Bass, but was previously published as a short story, St. Dragon and the George...
. He won three Hugo award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
s and one Nebula award
Nebula Award
The Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
.
For a great part of his life, he suffered from the effects of asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
.
Character as an author
John CluteJohn Clute
John Frederick Clute is a Canadian born author and critic who has lived in Britain since 1969. He has been described as "an integral part of science fiction's history."...
has characterized Dickson as a "gregarious, engaging, genial, successful man of letters", who had not been an introvert. Clute considers Dickson a science fiction romantic. The early Canadian years are not thought to have exerted an all-too strong influence onto the author's work. Nevertheless, Clute stresses in connection to Dickson that science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
welcomes "images of heightened solitude, romantically vague, limitless landscapes, and an anguished submission to afflatus", due to its origin in Gothic fiction
Gothic fiction
Gothic fiction, sometimes referred to as Gothic horror, is a genre or mode of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. Gothicism's origin is attributed to English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto, subtitled "A Gothic Story"...
.
Style
Clute points out that Dickson, like Poul AndersonPoul Anderson
Poul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories...
, with whom he collaborated in the Hoka series, "[tends] to infuse an austere Nordic pathos into wooded, rural midwestern American settings". His works often have (misogynistic) mercenaries as their protagonists and deal with aliens that are "less deracinated and more lovable than humans" (Clute). They "are inclined to take on a heightened, sagalike complexion" (Clute), particularly through the insertion of lyric poetry that is sometimes rather inferior.
Childe Cycle
- The Genetic General (1960) (restored variant title: Dorsai!Dorsai!Dorsai! is the first published book of the incomplete Childe Cycle series of science fiction novels by Gordon R. Dickson. While it is the first book published in the series, later books are set both before and after the events in Dorsai!....
, 1976) - NecromancerNecromancer (novel)Necromancer is a science fiction novel written by Gordon R. Dickson in 1962. It was alternatively titled No Room for Man between 1963 and 1974 before reverting to its original title...
(1962) (variant title: No Room for Man) - "Warrior" (1965) (short story) included in Lost Dorsai
- Soldier, Ask NotSoldier, Ask NotSoldier, Ask Not is a Hugo Award-winning science fiction novella written by Gordon R. Dickson and published in 1964 in the magazine Galaxy Science Fiction. It is also a novel of the same name published in 1967...
(1967) - Tactics of MistakeTactics of MistakeTactics of Mistake is a science fiction novel written by Gordon R. Dickson which was first published as a serial in Analog in 1970-1971. It is part of Dickson's Childe Cycle series, in which mankind has reached the stars and divided into specialized splinter groups...
(1971) - The Spirit of DorsaiThe Spirit of DorsaiThe Spirit of Dorsai is a collection of two science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Ace Books in 1979. The collection includes linking material and the stories are part of Dickson's Childe Cycle. The first story, "Amanda Morgan", is original to this collection...
(1979) - Lost DorsaiLost Dorsai (collection)Lost Dorsai is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson from his Childe Cycle series. It was first published by Ace Books in 1980...
(1980) - The Final Encyclopedia (1984)
- The Dorsai CompanionThe Dorsai CompanionThe Dorsai Companion is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson from his Childe Cycle series. It was first published by Ace Books in 1986...
(1986) - The Chantry Guild (1988)
- Young Bleys (1991)
- Other (1994)
- Antagonist (with David W. Wixon) (2007)
Dragon Knight series
- The Dragon and the GeorgeThe Dragon and the GeorgeThe Dragon and the George is a 1976 fantasy novel by Gordon R. Dickson, the first in his "Dragon Knight" series. A shorter form of the story was previously published as the short story, "St...
(1976) - The Dragon KnightThe Dragon KnightThe Dragon Knight is the second book of Gordon R. Dickson's Dragon Knight series. The novel begins 5 months after the battle at Loathly Tower displayed in The Dragon and The George.-Plot introduction:...
(1990) - The Dragon on the Border (1992)
- The Dragon at War (1992)
- The Dragon, the Earl, and the Troll (1994)
- The Dragon and the Djinn (1996)
- The Dragon and the Gnarly King (1997)
- The Dragon in Lyonesse (1998)
- The Dragon and the Fair Maid of Kent (2000)
Hoka series
- Earthman's BurdenEarthman's BurdenEarthman's Burden is a collection of science fiction and fantasy stories by Poul Anderson and Gordon Dickson. It was first published by Gnome Press in 1957. The story "Don Jones" was original to this collection...
(1957) (with Poul AndersonPoul AndersonPoul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories...
) (contents diff in vt: Hoka! Hoka! Hoka!Hoka! Hoka! Hoka!Hoka! Hoka! Hoka! is a collection of science fiction stories by Poul Anderson and Gordon Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1998 and reprints the authors' earlier collection, Earthman's Burden, expanding with two additional stories from Hoka!. The story "Don Jones" originally...
) (1998) - Hoka!Hoka!Hoka! is a collection of science fiction and fantasy stories by Poul Anderson and Gordon Dickson. It was first published by Wallaby in 1983...
(1983) (with Poul Anderson) - Star Prince Charlie (1983) (with Poul Anderson)
- Hokas Pokas!Hokas Pokas!Hokas Pokas! is a collection of science fiction stories, and the novel Star Prince Charlie by Poul Anderson and Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 2000. The stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction and Analog Science Fiction and Fact....
(2000) (with Poul Anderson) (includes Star Prince Charlie)
Novels
- Alien from Arcturus (1956) (expanded as Arcturus Landing)
- Mankind on the Run (1956) (variant title: On the Run, 1979)
- Time to Teleport (1960)
- Naked to the Stars (1961)
- Spacial Delivery (1961)
- Delusion World (1961)
- The Alien Way (1965)
- The Space Winners (1965)
- Mission to Universe (1965) (rev. 1977)
- The Space Swimmers (1967)
- Planet Run (1967) (with Keith LaumerKeith LaumerJohn Keith Laumer was an American science fiction author. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, he was an officer in the United States Air Force and a U.S. diplomat...
) - Spacepaw (1969)
- Wolfling (1969)
- None But Man (1969)
- Hour of the Horde (1970)
- Sleepwalkers’ World (1971)
- The Outposter (1972)
- The Pritcher Mass (1972)
- Alien Art (1973)
- The R-Master (1973) (rev. as The Last Master, 1984)
- Gremlins, Go Home (1974) (with Ben BovaBen BovaBenjamin William Bova is an American science-fiction author and editor. He is the recipient of six Hugo Awards for Best Professional Editor for his work at Analog Science Fiction in the 1970's.-Personal life:...
) - The Lifeship (variant title: Lifeboat) (1977) (with Harry HarrisonHarry HarrisonHarry Harrison is an American science fiction author best known for his character the Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! , the basis for the film Soylent Green...
) - Time Storm (1977)
- The Far Call (1978)
- Home from the Shore (1978)
- Pro (1978) (illustrated by James R. Odbert) (AceAce BooksAce Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
Illustrated Novel) - Masters of Everon (1980)
- The Last Master (1984)
- Jamie the Red (1984) (with Roland GreenRoland J. GreenRoland James Green is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and editor. He has written as Roland Green and Roland J. Green; and had 28 books in the Richard Blade series published as Jeffrey Lord .- Early life and personal matters :Green was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, in 1944...
) - The Forever Man (1986)
- Way of the Pilgrim (1987)
- The Earth Lords (1989)
- Wolf and Iron (1990)
- The Magnificent Wilf (1995)
- The Right to Arm BearsThe Right to Arm BearsThe Right to Arm Bears is a collection of Gordon R. Dickson's three science fiction novellas that occur on the planet Dilbia, where humans and an alien race known as Hemnoids are trying to win the support of the native bear-like population....
(2000) omnibus of Spacial Delivery, Spacepaw, etc.
Short story collections
- Danger—HumanDanger—HumanDanger—Human is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Doubleday in 1970. It was subsequently published by DAW Books, in 1973, as The Book of Gordon Dickson...
(1970) (as The Book of Gordon Dickson, 1973) - MutantsMutants (collection)Mutants is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Macmillan in 1970. The stories originally appeared in the magazines Astounding, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Galaxy Science Fiction and Fantasy and Science Fiction.-Contents:* Introduction"*...
(1970) - The Star RoadThe Star RoadThe Star Road is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Doubleday in 1973. The stories originally appeared in the magazines Amazing Stories, Astounding, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Galaxy Science Fiction, Worlds of Tomorrow and Fantasy and...
(1973) - Ancient, My EnemyAncient, My EnemyAncient, My Enemy is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Doubleday in 1974. The stories originally appeared in the magazines If, Astounding, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Space Stories and Fantasy and Science Fiction.-Contents:* "Ancient, My...
(1974) - Gordon R. Dickson's SF BestGordon R. Dickson's SF BestGordon R. Dickson's SF Best is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Dell in 1978 and was edited by James R. Frenkel...
(1978) (revised as In the BoneIn the BoneIn the Bone: The Best Science Fiction of Gordon R. Dickson is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Ace Books in 1987 and expands Dickson's earlier collection, Gordon R. Dickson's SF Best...
, 1987) - In Iron YearsIn Iron YearsIn Iron Years is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Doubleday in 1980. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction, If, Galaxy Science Fiction and Astounding.-Contents:* "In Iron Years"* "Homecoming"* "A...
(1980) - Love Not HumanLove Not HumanLove Not Human is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Ace Books in 1981. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Galaxy Science Fiction, Startling Stories, Fantastic, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Universe, Analog Science Fiction...
(1981) - The Man from EarthThe Man from Earth (collection)The Man from Earth is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Tor Books in 1983. The stories originally appeared in the magazines Analog Science Fiction and Fact, If, Astounding, Galaxy Science Fiction and Space Stories.-Contents:* "Call Him Lord"*...
(1983) - Dickson!Dickson!Dickson! is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by NESFA Press in 1984 and was issued in honor of Dickson's appearance as guest of honor at the 42nd World Science Fiction Convention...
(1984) (revised as Steel BrotherSteel BrotherSteel Brother is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Tor Books in 1985 and reprints most of the stories from Dickson's earlier collection, Dickson!, with one additional story...
{1985}) - Survival!Survival!Survival! is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1984. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Astounding, Fantasy and Science Fiction, If, Imagination, Fantastic, Infinity Science Fiction, Future and...
(1984) - Forward!Forward!Forward! is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1985 and was edited by Sandra Miesel...
(1985) - Beyond the Dar Al-HarbBeyond the Dar Al-HarbBeyond the Dar Al-Harb is a collection of three fantasy and science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Tor Books in 1985. The title story is original to this collection, and features "Red Jamie", a character from the Thieves World series previously in Dickson's...
(1985) - Invaders!Invaders!Invaders! is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1985 and was edited by Sandra Miesel...
(1985) - The Man the Worlds RejectedThe Man the Worlds RejectedThe Man the Worlds Rejected is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Tor Books in 1986. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Planet Stories, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, If, Fantastic Universe and Fantasy and Science...
(1986) - MindspanMindspanMindspan is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1986. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction, Venture, Startling Stories, Galaxy Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Fact and...
(1986) - The Last DreamThe Last DreamThe Last Dream is a collection of fantasy and science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1986. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Fantastic, Startling Stories and Worlds...
(1986) - The StrangerThe Stranger (collection)The Stranger is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Tor Books in 1987. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction, Satellite, Imagination, Astounding, Saturn, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Fantastic,...
(1987) - Guided TourGuided Tour (collection)Guided Tour is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Tor Books in 1988. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Fantasy and Science Fiction, Astounding, Planet Stories, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Future, Science Fiction...
(1988) - BeginningsBeginnings (collection)Beginnings is a collection of science fiction stories and poems by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1988. Most of the stories originally appeared in the magazines Astounding, Future, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Fantastic, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Galaxy Science...
(1988) - EndsEndsEnds is a collection of science fiction stories and poems by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 1988 and as a companion volume to Dickson's Beginnings...
(1988) - The Human EdgeThe Human EdgeThe Human Edge is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Baen Books in 2003 and was edited by Hank Davis...
(2003)
Children's books
- Secret under the Sea (1960)
- Secret under Antarctica (1963)
- Secret under the Caribbean (1964)
- Secrets of the Deep (1985) omnibus of the three above
Awards
Hugo AwardHugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
s
- "Soldier, Ask Not" for best short story, 1965
- Lost Dorsai for best novella, 1981
- "The Cloak and the Staff" for best novelette, 1981
Nebula Award
Nebula Award
The Nebula Award is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America , for the best science fiction/fantasy fiction published in the United States during the previous year...
- "Call Him Lord" for best novelette, 1966
External links
- Obituary, Minneapolis StarTribune
- Bibliography at SciFanSciFanSciFan is an online database for fans of science fiction and fantasy books.The site provides detailed bibliographies, linking books together into series' where appropriate and, in turn, grouping series by universe...
- Gordon R. Dickson's online fiction at Free Speculative Fiction Online