Harlan Ellison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harlan Ellison
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Ellison in 1986
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| Born | Harlan Jay Ellison May 27, 1934 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | June 28, 2018 (aged 84) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Pen name | Cordwainer Bird, Nalrah Nosille, and 8 others |
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| Period | 1949–2018 |
| Genre | Speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, crime fiction, mystery, horror, film and television criticism |
| Literary movement | New Wave |
| Notable works | Dangerous Visions (editor), A Boy and His Dog, "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream", "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman", "The City on the Edge of Forever" |
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Harlan Jay Ellison (born May 27, 1934 – died June 28, 2018) was an American writer. He wrote over 1,700 short stories, novellas, and screenplays. He also wrote comic book scripts, TV scripts, and essays.
Ellison was known for his strong opinions and unique writing style. He won many important awards for his work. These include the Hugo Awards, Nebula Awards, and Edgar Awards.
Contents
Harlan Ellison's Early Life and Career
Harlan Ellison was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 27, 1934. His parents were Serita and Louis Laverne Ellison. His father was a dentist and jeweler. Harlan had an older sister named Beverly.
His family moved to Painesville, Ohio, and then back to Cleveland. As a young person, Ellison had many different jobs. He worked as a tuna fisherman, a cook, and a cab driver. He also sold books and brushes door-to-door. In 1947, his first writing was published. It was a fan letter he sent to a comic book.
Ellison went to Ohio State University for 18 months. He was asked to leave after an argument with a professor. He later said he sent that professor a copy of every story he published for the next 20 years.
In 1955, Ellison moved to New York City to become a writer. He quickly published more than 100 short stories and articles. He also served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959. His first novel, Web of the City, came out in 1958 while he was in the army. After the army, he moved to Chicago and worked as an editor for Rogue magazine.
Ellison's Move to Hollywood and Famous Works
In 1962, Ellison moved to California. He started writing for Hollywood. He helped write the movie The Oscar (1966). He also wrote scripts for many TV shows.
One of his most famous TV scripts was for the Star Trek episode "The City on the Edge of Forever". Many people think it is one of the best episodes of the series.
In 1965, Ellison took part in the Selma to Montgomery marches. These marches were led by Martin Luther King Jr. and were important for civil rights.
Ellison continued to write many short stories. His story "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman" (1965) is about standing up to unfair rules. "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" (1967) is a dark story about humans being tormented by a powerful computer. This story was even made into a computer game in 1995. Ellison helped design the game and voiced the computer character.
Another well-known story is "A Boy and His Dog". It explores friendship and love in a world after a big disaster. This story became a movie in 1975.
From 1968 to 1970, Ellison wrote a regular TV column for the Los Angeles Free Press. He also hosted a science fiction radio show called Hour 25 from 1986 to 1987.
Personal Life and Legacy
Harlan Ellison was married five times. His last marriage was to Susan Toth in 1986. They stayed together for 32 years until his death. They lived in Los Angeles. Susan Toth passed away in 2020.
Harlan Ellison died peacefully in his sleep at home on June 28, 2018. His literary works are now managed by J. Michael Straczynski, who created Babylon 5.
Harlan Ellison's Pseudonyms
Sometimes, Harlan Ellison used a different name when he wrote. These are called pseudonyms. He often used the name Cordwainer Bird. He used this name to show that he was unhappy with how his work had been changed by others, especially in Hollywood.
Other names Ellison used include Jay Charby, Sley Harson, and Ellis Hart.
Harlan Ellison's Published Works
Here are some of Harlan Ellison's notable works:
- Web of the City (1958)
- Spider Kiss (1961)
- "A Boy and his Dog" (short story)
- The Starlost #1: Phoenix Without Ashes (1975)
Harlan Ellison's Awards and Recognition
Harlan Ellison won many awards for his writing. He was one of the most awarded writers in science fiction and fantasy.
He won eight Hugo Awards and four Nebula Awards. These are two of the most important awards in science fiction. He also won five Bram Stoker Awards for horror writing. He received two Edgar Awards for mystery stories.
Ellison also won two World Fantasy Awards. In 1993, he received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. This award honors a writer's entire career. The Horror Writers Association gave him their Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.
In 2006, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named him their 23rd Grand Master. This is a very high honor for a science fiction writer. In 2011, he was added to the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
Ellison was the only writer to win the Nebula Award for Best Short Story three times. He also won a Nebula in the novella category.
He was recognized for his commitment to artistic freedom and fighting censorship. In 1982, he received the Silver Pen for Journalism from International PEN.
Ellison was also nominated for a Grammy award for his spoken word recordings.
See also
In Spanish: Harlan Ellison para niños
