20 Facts About Judith Merril

Judith Josephine Grossman, who took the pen-name Judith Merril around 1945, was an American and then Canadian science fiction writer, editor and political activist, and one of the first women to be widely influential in those roles.

Judith Merril's father died by suicide in 1929 soon after she began to attend school.

Judith Merril edited, and published with Larry Shaw and Dan Zissman, a 20-page fanzine dated January 1946, Science*Fiction No 1, including an editorial by her entitled "The Hills and the Heights".

Judith Merril began writing professionally, especially short stories about sports, starting in 1945, before publishing her first science fiction story in 1948.

Judith Merril was a co-founder of the Hydra Club in this period.

Judith Merril's second child, Ann Pohl, was born in 1950; she and Pohl separated in 1952 and their divorce was finalized the next year, during which she lived with Walter M Miller for six months.

Ann Pohl's daughter, Judith Merril's granddaughter Emily Pohl-Weary, writes young adult fiction including science fiction and is a professor of creative writing at the University of British Columbia.

Judith Merril co-authored Merril's biography after the latter's death, using access to her drafts, notes and letters.

Judith Merril began editing science fiction short story anthologies in 1950 - including a "Year's Best" story-anthology series that ran from 1956 to 1967 - and published her last in 1985.

Judith Merril had a role as Books Editor for The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction from 1965 until 1969.

One anthology project Judith Merril began in the early 1960s under contract to Lion Books in Chicago was aborted, but inspired her publisher's editor Harlan Ellison to go forward with his own version of the project, which yielded Dangerous Visions.

One of these was a THRUSH agent who was a literary critic named "Judith Merril Merle" played by Grayson Hall.

Judith Merril was among those who in 1968 signed an anti-Vietnam War advertisement in Galaxy Science Fiction.

Judith Merril was a founding resident of Rochdale College, an experiment in student-run education and cooperative living, very much part of the zeitgeist of the era.

Judith Merril donated all of the books and magazines in her possession to the library, which established the "Spaced Out Library" with Merril in a non-administrative role as curator.

Judith Merril received a small annual stipend as curator and, when short of money, she lived in her office at the library, sleeping on a cot.

From 1978 to 1981 Judith Merril introduced Canadian broadcasts of Doctor Who.

Judith Merril was an active organizer and promoter of science fiction in Canada.

Judith Merril became a Canadian citizen in 1976 and became active in its Writers' Union.

Judith Merril remained active in the SF world as a commentator and mentor.