(1910 — July 11, 1971)
Early sf writer, editor of Astounding from 1938 to 1971, creator of the Golden Age of SF, discoverer of Heinlein, Asimov, van Vogt, Sturgeon, and many other writers, opinionated crank, and probably the most important and influential person in the history of sf.
He wrote sf under the pennames of Don A. Stuart, and Karl van Campen. Probably his most important writing was done under the Don A. Stuart penname in the 30s. At a time when sf was still basically pulp adventure, he wrote stories which stand up well even today. Probably his most famous story is "Who Goes There?".
He was one of the two people to have three times been Worldcon GoH: Philcon I, SFCon, Loncon.
His list of Hugo nominations and wins is impressive, especially considering that by far the most important part of his career happened before the Hugos were instituted: Under his editorship, Astounding was nominated for Best Professional Magazine from 1953 to 1972, winning in 1953-1957, 1961, 1962, 1964, and 1965. In addition, he won the Best Professional Editor Retro Hugo all three times it was awarded, for 1946, 1951, and 1954.
The Campbell AWard is named after him. (It is for new writers, and reflects the enormous impact he had on the field through the discovery, development and encouragement of new writers.) There is also the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, which is different.
He attended the First Worldcon. He was GoH at Lunacon 14.
See John W. Campbell -- An Australian Tribute.
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