author
Ray Van Houten
1919–1963
A longtime science-fiction fan and editor, he helped shape mid-century fandom while also writing adventurous pulp-era fiction. He is best remembered for co-editing influential fanzines and for the Martian tale The Last Martian.
1 Audiobook
The Last Martian
by Ray Van Houten
About the author
Born on August 26, 1919, Ray Van Houten was an American science-fiction writer, fan, and editor associated with New Jersey fandom. Sources on fan history describe him as an early, active participant in organized science-fiction fandom from the 1930s onward, and as someone deeply involved in the community side of the genre.
He is especially linked with the fanzines Fantasy-Times and later Science-Fiction Times, which he co-edited with James V. Taurasi, Sr. These publications became well-known within science-fiction fandom, and records of award history show that Science-Fiction Times received Hugo recognition during the 1950s. His fiction is less extensive than his fan work, but The Last Martian remains available through Project Gutenberg and is the title most commonly associated with him today.
Van Houten died on November 29, 1963. For many readers, his career offers a glimpse of an era when science fiction grew not just through magazines and books, but through passionate fan networks, amateur press, and small community publications.