Williamson's career in science fiction started with "The Metal Man" in Amazing in 1928...and published a new novel just last year. That means he was active in the field for much longer than most of us have been alive.

In fact, a great deal of what we write today owes a debt to Williamson's pioneering work. When you use phrases like "hyperspace," "neutronium," "parallel world," and "spaceport," remember Williamson, because he came up with them first. Even "genetic engineering" first appeared in SF in his work.

Check out Williamson's work, too. Darker Than You Think, as fine a treatment of modern-day lycanthropy as you're likely to find on the shelves today. The Legion of Space, a pioneering space opera as well as an ultimate-gadget story. The Legion of Time, again pioneering alternate history. And "With Folded Hands," perhaps the ultimate tale of the danger of having everything taken care of for you, whether you want it done or not.

There's hardly space to detail all of Williamson's achievments...his academic career, which also pioneered the study of science fiction in schools...and the awards he received, up to Grand Master bestowed by the SFWA.

Here's a (short) recommended reading list: