Frederik Pohl

Born in New York City on November 26, 1919, Frederik Pohl became one of the most influential figures in modern science fiction. Over a career that stretched for roughly 75 years, he worked as a writer, editor, literary agent, critic, and active fan, giving him an unusually broad view of the genre from nearly every side.

His fiction is especially admired for using futuristic ideas to explore very human pressures such as consumerism, inequality, politics, and the unintended consequences of technology. Britannica notes that his best work used science fiction as a form of social criticism, and readers often single out The Space Merchants and the Heechee novels among his most lasting books.

Pohl also left a mark behind the scenes. He edited important science-fiction magazines and helped champion other writers while building a major body of work of his own. He died on September 2, 2013, in Arlington Heights, Illinois, leaving behind a reputation as one of the field's central voices.