Jack Speer
Encyclopedia
John Bristol Speer was an attorney
, practicing law for over 60 years; a judge
; and a member of the Washington House of Representatives
.
Also a long-time science fiction
fan and important early historian of science fiction fandom
, Speer wrote Up to Now: A History of Science Fiction Fandom and Fancyclopedia.
. He received his bachelor's degree from George Washington University
and, after World War II
, his law degree from the University of Washington
. During WWII, he worked for the Lend Lease Administration
as an administrative aide for the American Food Mission to French North Africa. After the war, he began practicing law in North Bend, Washington
.
Speer married his wife of 57 years, Myrtle Ruth Speer, in 1951. The couple had two children, Margaret Ann (now Abercrombie), and Edward.
From 1959 to 1961, he served a term as a Democratic
congressman in the Washington state House of Representatives, representing a district in King County
.
In 1962, Speer moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico
. He continued to practice law and served two terms as the judge of the Bernalillo County Small Claims Court
.
The year before, he had developed a Civil War
board game
, which was notable in that it followed the actual course of the war. A registered Parliamentarian
, he judged high school debates throughout the state of New Mexico.
On 28 June, 2008, Speer died in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico
. He was interred in Santa Fe National Cemetery
. He rests near his long time friend Roy Tackett
.
Speer wrote and published fandom's first history, Up to Now: A History of Science Fiction Fandom, in 1939. He was first to formulate a system of "Numerical Fandoms," which was expanded on by other fan historians, including Robert Silverberg
; it remained in use until the mid-1950s and is still used to describe early fan eras. In 1944, he followed Up to Now with the first edition of Fancyclopedia, an encyclopedia of fan culture and history and the jargon used in fanzine
s. Both works are still used as references, although Fancyclopedia was superseded by an expanded second edition published by Dick Eney in 1959.
Fan historian Harry Warner, Jr.
commented that Speer was "the first to stress (fandom's) subcultural aspects. Single-handedly, he made fandom's ayjays
something entirely different from the mundane amateur journalism groups" by introducing the "mailing comment," which has its successor in today's blog
comment. Warner considered Speer to be "one of the pioneer historians of fandom".
Speer was also an accomplished photographer. "His collection of photos of fannish faces is an excellent window on early fandom."
In 1940, at Chicon 1
, the second Worldcon
, Speer distributed a set of science fiction songs. Such songs are now known as filk. These earliest of filk songs were reprinted under the pseudonym John Bristol in Xenofilkia no. 18, as Various Songs, and in no. 19, as Twilight Prelude.
At Chicon, Speer and Milt Rothman
suggested a costume party or masquerade. Their suggestion was readily adopted and is still popular with today's fandom.
In the mid-1940s, after founding editor E.E. Evans stepped down, Speer became the editor of the National Fantasy Fan Federation
's official journal, The National Fantasy Fan.
In 1995, Speer was inducted into the First Fandom
Hall of Fame
. In 2004, Speer was one of two Worldcon
Fan Guests of Honor at NoreasCon 4
in Boston, Massachusetts.
For over 70 years, Speer published his own amateur science fiction fanzine, which encouraged lively debates and demanded a high standard of literacy in the field.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, practicing law for over 60 years; a judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
; and a member of the Washington House of Representatives
Washington House of Representatives
The Washington House of Representatives is the lower house of the Washington State Legislature, the legislature of the U.S. State of Washington. It is composed of 98 Representatives from 49 districts, each of which elects two members. All members of the House are elected to a two-year term without...
.
Also a long-time 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...
fan and important early historian of science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
, Speer wrote Up to Now: A History of Science Fiction Fandom and Fancyclopedia.
Life and career
Speer was born in Comanche, OklahomaComanche, Oklahoma
Comanche is a city in Stephens County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,556 at the 2000 census.-History:Comanche is a small city in southwest Oklahoma set in rolling prairie land interspersed with oil fields, ranches, farms, pecan orchards, and timbered areas...
. He received his bachelor's degree from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
and, after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, his law degree from the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. During WWII, he worked for the Lend Lease Administration
Lend-Lease
Lend-Lease was the program under which the United States of America supplied the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, Free France, and other Allied nations with materiel between 1941 and 1945. It was signed into law on March 11, 1941, a year and a half after the outbreak of war in Europe in...
as an administrative aide for the American Food Mission to French North Africa. After the war, he began practicing law in North Bend, Washington
North Bend, Washington
North Bend is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The town was made famous by David Lynch's television series Twin Peaks Since the Weyerhaeuser sawmill closed, North Bend has become an upscale bedroom community for the Eastside of Seattle, Washington, with property values more than...
.
Speer married his wife of 57 years, Myrtle Ruth Speer, in 1951. The couple had two children, Margaret Ann (now Abercrombie), and Edward.
From 1959 to 1961, he served a term as a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
congressman in the Washington state House of Representatives, representing a district in King County
King County, Washington
King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
.
In 1962, Speer moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
. He continued to practice law and served two terms as the judge of the Bernalillo County Small Claims Court
Small claims court
Small-claims courts have limited jurisdiction to hear civil cases between private litigants. Courts authorized to try small claims may also have other judicial functions, and the name by which such a court is known varies by jurisdiction; it may be known as a county or magistrate's court...
.
The year before, he had developed a Civil War
Civil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
board game
Board game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
, which was notable in that it followed the actual course of the war. A registered Parliamentarian
National Association of Parliamentarians
The National Association of Parliamentarians , is the largest non-profit association of professional parliamentarians in the world.NAP was organized in 1930. As of June 2008, NAP had a membership of about 3,560 parliamentarians in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and internationally...
, he judged high school debates throughout the state of New Mexico.
On 28 June, 2008, Speer died in his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. He was interred in Santa Fe National Cemetery
Santa Fe National Cemetery
Santa Fe National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery in the city of Santa Fe, in Santa Fe County, New Mexico. It encompasses , and as of the end of 2005, had 39,695 interments...
. He rests near his long time friend Roy Tackett
Roy Tackett
Roy Tackett was a rifleman with the United States Marine Corps during World War II who was credited with the introduction of science fiction to Japan following the war when he was stationed in that nation as part of the American occupation.-Career:During the early 1950s Tackett was a Drill...
.
Contributions to science fiction fandom
Speer became infatuated with Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, and others at an early age. Speer related that he became a dedicated fan in 1934. In his early years in fandom, he sometimes went by the name of John Bristol.Speer wrote and published fandom's first history, Up to Now: A History of Science Fiction Fandom, in 1939. He was first to formulate a system of "Numerical Fandoms," which was expanded on by other fan historians, including Robert Silverberg
Robert Silverberg
Robert Silverberg is an American author, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple nominee of the Hugo Award and a winner of the Nebula Award.-Early years:...
; it remained in use until the mid-1950s and is still used to describe early fan eras. In 1944, he followed Up to Now with the first edition of Fancyclopedia, an encyclopedia of fan culture and history and the jargon used in fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
s. Both works are still used as references, although Fancyclopedia was superseded by an expanded second edition published by Dick Eney in 1959.
Fan historian Harry Warner, Jr.
Harry Warner, Jr.
Harry Warner, Jr. was an American journalist. He spent 40 years working for the Hagerstown, Maryland, Herald-Mail....
commented that Speer was "the first to stress (fandom's) subcultural aspects. Single-handedly, he made fandom's ayjays
Amateur press association
An amateur press association is a group of people who produce individual pages or magazines that are sent to a Central Mailer for collation and distribution to all members of the group.-Organisation:...
something entirely different from the mundane amateur journalism groups" by introducing the "mailing comment," which has its successor in today's blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
comment. Warner considered Speer to be "one of the pioneer historians of fandom".
Speer was also an accomplished photographer. "His collection of photos of fannish faces is an excellent window on early fandom."
In 1940, at Chicon 1
2nd World Science Fiction Convention
2nd World Science Fiction Convention was Chicon I, which was held September 1-2, 1940, at the Hotel Chicagoan in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The event had 128 participants....
, the second Worldcon
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
, Speer distributed a set of science fiction songs. Such songs are now known as filk. These earliest of filk songs were reprinted under the pseudonym John Bristol in Xenofilkia no. 18, as Various Songs, and in no. 19, as Twilight Prelude.
At Chicon, Speer and Milt Rothman
Milton A. Rothman
Milton A. Rothman was a United States nuclear physicist and college professor.He was also an active science fiction fan and a co-founder of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society...
suggested a costume party or masquerade. Their suggestion was readily adopted and is still popular with today's fandom.
In the mid-1940s, after founding editor E.E. Evans stepped down, Speer became the editor of the National Fantasy Fan Federation
National Fantasy Fan Federation
The National Fantasy Fan Federation is one of the world's oldest science fiction fandom organizations. The organization was founded in April 1941 when all science fiction, horror, and fantasy literature was lumped into one category called "fantasy." The group actively encourages the development of...
's official journal, The National Fantasy Fan.
In 1995, Speer was inducted into the First Fandom
First Fandom
First Fandom is an association of experienced science fiction fans.In 1958 a number of fans at Midwestcon realized amid table-talk that they all had been active in fandom for more than 20 years. This inspired the creation of an organization for longstanding fans under the initial chairmanship of...
Hall of Fame
First Fandom Hall of Fame award
First Fandom Hall of Fame award is an annual award for contributions to the field of science fiction dating back more than 30 years. Contributions can be as a fan, writer, editor, artist, agent, or any combination of the five. It is awarded by First Fandom and is usually presented at the beginning...
. In 2004, Speer was one of two Worldcon
Worldcon
Worldcon, or more formally The World Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention held each year since 1939 . It is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society...
Fan Guests of Honor at NoreasCon 4
62nd World Science Fiction Convention
The 62nd World Science Fiction Convention was Noreascon 4, which was held in Boston, Massachusetts, from September 2–6, 2004. The venues for the 62nd Worldcon were Hynes Convention Center, Sheraton Boston Hotel and Boston Marriott Copley Place...
in Boston, Massachusetts.
For over 70 years, Speer published his own amateur science fiction fanzine, which encouraged lively debates and demanded a high standard of literacy in the field.
External links
- "Decline of the Best" by Jack Speer, Quandry 29.
- Jack Speer at Noreascon 4