| John B. Speer died at his Albuquerque home on Saturday, June 28, 2008. He was 87.
Jack was a science fiction fan historian and member of First Fandom. In 1939 he wrote Up to Now, which has been called the first history of science fiction fandom. Five years later he wrote a dictionary of the language of science fiction fandom titled Fancyclopedia.
He received his B.A. degree from George Washington University and after WWII his LLB from the University of Washington. During WWII he worked for the Lend Lease Administration as an administrative aide for the American Food Mission to French North Africa. Jack was an attorney who also served one term in the Washington state House of Representatives.
Jack was inducted into the First Fandom Hall of Fame in 1995 and was
Fan Guest of Honor at Noreascon 4, the 64th World Science Fiction Convention,
in 2004. |
Jack and Ruth Speer at Noreascon 4 in 2004 |
