Lester Del Rey

Born Leonard Knapp in 1915, Lester del Rey became one of the familiar names of mid-20th-century science fiction. He published fiction under the name Lester del Rey and built a reputation for energetic storytelling, including work for younger readers as well as magazine fiction and novels.

Later, he became just as influential as an editor. With Judy-Lynn del Rey, he helped launch Del Rey Books at Ballantine, an imprint that became closely associated with science fiction and fantasy and introduced many readers to the genre.

He died in 1993, but his legacy lives on in two ways: through the stories he wrote and through the publishing line that still carries the Del Rey name. For many readers, he remains one of the bridge figures between the old pulp tradition and the later world of mass-market SF and fantasy.