Ray Van Houten

Ray Van Houten, born Raymond John Van Houten in Hawthorne, New Jersey, on August 26, 1919, was part of the first generation of organized science-fiction fandom. Sources on fan history say he began reading science fiction in the early 1930s, became active in fandom in 1936, and soon took on leadership roles in fan groups.

He is remembered not only as a writer but as a builder of fan culture. He was involved with the Science Fiction Advancement Association, helped merge it into New Fandom in 1938, served on the committee for Nycon 1, the first World Science Fiction Convention, and later chaired Fanvet Convention 2. He also co-edited fan publications including Fantasy Times and was associated with the Science Fiction Yearbook and other fanzines.

As an author, Van Houten published fiction and fan writing under both Ray Van Houten and Raymond Van Houten. His best-known surviving fiction is probably "The Last Martian," and bibliographic records also show letters and essays in magazines and fanzines from the 1930s through the 1950s. He died on November 29, 1963, leaving behind a modest but meaningful place in early science-fiction history.