Kate Wilhelm

Born in Toledo, Ohio, on June 8, 1928, Kate Wilhelm became one of the most respected and versatile American writers in speculative fiction and mystery. She began publishing science fiction in the 1950s and went on to write dozens of novels and stories across science fiction, suspense, and detective fiction.

She is especially remembered for Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang, the novel that won the Hugo Award, as well as for several Nebula Award-winning shorter works. Alongside her fiction, she was an important teacher and mentor, helping found and guide influential writers' workshops including Clarion and Milford with fellow writer Damon Knight.

Wilhelm spent much of her later life in Oregon and remained a widely admired figure in the field for both her books and her support of younger authors. She died on March 8, 2018, in Eugene, Oregon.