Judith Merrill

[taraswizard]

I recently started reading Better to have loved; the life of Judith Merrill by Judith Merrill and Emily Pohl-Weary. This is an autobiography and biography co-written by JM and her granddaughter. Judy Merrill (1923-1997) was a SF author, editor, and anthologist, and was sometimes known as 'the little mother of SF'. Was married to Fred Pohl, 1949 - 1952, and was very nearly married to Walter Miller. She was a member and associate of the Futurians (very probably the first SF club ever members included Donald Wolheim, Fred, Cyril Kornbluth, James Blish, Virginia Kidd, Damon Knight). Was a cofounder of the Milford Writers conference, this writers workshop continues and is now known as the Clarion workshop. Founder of SF Canada. The SF collection and archive maintained by the Toronto public library is named in her honour.

Judy Merrill wrote the famous short story That only a mother, cowrote with CM Kornbluth Gunner Cade and Outpost Mars. She lived most of her adult life as single mother, was involved with liberal (and sometimes socialist) politics in the US, emigrated to Canada in the late 60s.