Mark Clifton

Born in Philadelphia on October 24, 1906, Mark Irwin Clifton was an American science fiction writer whose publishing career began relatively late, in the early 1950s. Before turning to fiction, he spent many years working in personnel and industrial psychology, and that background shaped much of his writing.

Clifton’s stories often mix speculative ideas with a practical interest in human behavior. He began publishing in 1952 with the frequently anthologized story What Have I Done?, and much of his work falls into two main groups: the "Bossy" stories about an artificial-intelligence computer, and the lighter "Ralph Kennedy" tales. With Frank Riley, he won the 1955 Hugo Award for Best Novel for They'd Rather Be Right.

Although he was not a prolific writer and died on October 25, 1963, Clifton left a distinctive mark on mid-century science fiction. Readers who enjoy classic SF with curiosity, wit, and an unusual amount of psychological insight may find him especially rewarding.