Jack L. Chalker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Laurence Chalker
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Chalker in 2003
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| Born | December 17, 1944 |
| Died | February 11, 2005 (aged 60) |
| Education | Towson University Johns Hopkins University |
| Occupation | Science fiction author, writer |
| Spouse(s) | Eva C. Whitley |
| Children | 2 |
Jack Laurence Chalker (born December 17, 1944 – died February 11, 2005) was an American author who wrote exciting science fiction stories. Before becoming a full-time writer in 1978, he taught history in Baltimore City Schools in Maryland for 12 years. Jack Chalker also helped start the Baltimore Science Fiction Society and was a member of the Washington Science Fiction Association.
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Jack Chalker's Early Life and Education
Jack Chalker was born and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He went to high school at Baltimore City College. He earned a bachelor's degree in English from Towson University in Towson, Maryland. While there, he wrote as a theater critic for the school newspaper, The Towerlight. In 2003, Towson University honored him as their Liberal Arts Alumnus of the Year. He later earned a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Becoming a Teacher and Lecturer
Jack Chalker first wanted to become a lawyer. However, due to money problems, he decided to become a teacher instead. From 1966 to 1978, he taught history and geography in the Baltimore City Public Schools. He taught at schools like Baltimore City College. He also gave talks about science fiction and technology. He lectured at places like the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and many universities.
Jack Chalker was part of the Maryland Air National Guard. He was called to duty in Baltimore during the Baltimore riot of 1968.
Family Life and Hobbies
Jack Chalker got married in 1978. He had two children: David, who became a game designer, and Samantha, who works as a computer security consultant.
Jack Chalker enjoyed several hobbies. He liked special audio equipment and traveling. He also enjoyed working on committees for science fiction conventions. He had a strong interest in ferryboats. His wedding ceremony was even held on a ferryboat called the Roaring Bull. This boat was part of the Millersburg Ferry in the middle of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania.
Contributions to Science Fiction
Jack Chalker joined the Washington Science Fiction Association in 1958. In 1963, he and two friends started the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. He attended almost every World Science Fiction Convention from 1965 to 2004.
He published an amateur science fiction magazine called Mirage from 1960 to 1971. This magazine was even nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Fanzine in 1963. He also published another magazine, Interjection, from 1968 to 1987. Jack Chalker also started a publishing company, Mirage Press, Ltd. This company released non-fiction books and guides about science fiction and fantasy.
Awards and Recognition
Jack Chalker received several awards for his work. These include the Daedalus Award (1983) and the Skylark Award (1980). He was also nominated twice for the Hugo Award. After he passed away, he was given the Phoenix Award in 2005.
He served three terms as the treasurer for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. He also co-wrote a guide called The Science Fantasy Publishers. This book listed small press publishers of science fiction and fantasy. The Baltimore Science Fiction Society renamed their writing contest in his honor. It is now called "The Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Contest."
Jack Chalker's Novels
Chalker is most famous for his Well World series of novels. However, he wrote many other books and at least nine short stories.
Many of his stories feature characters who undergo some kind of physical transformation. For example, in the Well World novels, people who travel to the Well World change into one of the 1,560 different intelligent species living there. His Wonderland Gambit series tells stories about reincarnation in a science fiction setting.
At the time of his death, Jack Chalker had one unfinished novel called Chameleon. He had also planned to write another novel called Ripsaw.
Illness and Passing
On September 18, 2003, during Hurricane Isabel, Jack Chalker had a coronary occlusion. He was released from the hospital but remained very weak. On December 6, 2004, he was hospitalized again with breathing problems. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and a collapsed lung. Jack Chalker passed away on February 11, 2005, due to kidney failure and sepsis at Bon Secours Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
Some of his remains are buried in the family plot at Loudon Park Cemetery in Baltimore. The rest were spread in various places that were meaningful to him.
See also
- Category:Novels by Jack L. Chalker
