'A Vast Curiosity' About The Universe

“I have a vast curiosity about our universe, our origins, and its probable future.” – Jack Williamson

Born in the Arizona Territory on this date in 1906, Williamson grew up on isolated ranches in West Texas and New Mexico where he said he developed a great sense of how to use his imagination to entertain both himself and his 3 siblings.

That early “self-training” led to a stellar career as a writer of fantasy and science fiction and ultimately the title of "Dean of Science Fiction,” (especially after the death of his contemporary Sci-Fi writer Robert Heinlein.   Williamson also is credited with one of the first uses of the term "Genetic Engineering" in his descriptions and storytelling. 

      A huge fan of the magazine Amazing Stories, published by Miles Breuer, Williamson submitted his first story to the magazine at age 20 and by age 24 was collaborating with Breuer on what would become a massive best-selling novel, Girl From Mars.  It was the first of what would be more than 30 novels, 25 story collections, many dozens of stand-alone short stories, and several Sci-Fi series, capped by the award-winning Legion of Space Series. 

Williamson also had a long teaching career at Eastern New Mexico State University where today the Jack Williamson Liberal Arts Building is named in his honor and to recognize his many contributions to both the liberal arts and the literary world.   Williamson said he always credited his ability to utilize his imagination as the catalyst for his career.

“Life,” he said, “would have been absolutely empty without imagination.”

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