Ben Bova (1932–2020)
Author of Mars
About the Author
Ben Bova, Ben Bova was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began writing fiction in the late 1940's and continued to pursue his careers in journalism, aerospace, education and publishing. Bova received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Temple University, 1954, a master of arts degree in show more communications from the State University of New York, 1987, and a doctorate in education from California Coast University, 1996. Dr. Bova worked as a newspaper reporter for several years and then joined Project Vanguard, the first American satellite program, as a technical editor. He was manager of marketing for Avco Everett Research Laboratory and worked with scientists in the fields of high-power lasers, artificial hearts and advanced electrical power generators. Dr. Bova has taught science fiction at Harvard University and at the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, where he also directed film courses. He has written scripts for teaching films with the Physical Sciences Study Committee in association with Nobel Laureates from many universities. Dr. Bova has served on the advisory board of Post College and the Editorial Boards of the World Future Society. He is President Emeritus of the National Space Society and a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society. He is also a charter member of the Planetary Society and a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Nature Conservancy, the New York Academy of Sciences and the National Space Club. He is a former President and a charter member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. He was honored by Temple University as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1981 and in 1982 was made an Alumni Fellow. In 1994, his short story "Inspiration" was nominated for the Nebula Award. "The Beauty of Light" was voted one of the best science books of the year in 1988 by the American Librarians' Association and they hailed "Moonrise" as best science fiction novel in 1996. Other titles include "Moonwar," "Mars," and "Brothers," which all combine romance and adventure with the scientific aspect of exploring the future of technology and its effect on individuals and society. "Immortality" and "Assured Survival" deal with technology being used to solve economic, social and political problems. "Immortality" goes further in examining biomedical breakthroughs that could extend a person's life by hundreds of years while being able to always remain physically young. His works include The Aftermath, Mars Life, and Leviathans of Jupiter. Ben Bova was a prolific science fiction author. He wrote over a hundred books and short stories. He also was an editor who worked on some of science fiction's best-known publications. He died on November 29, 2020 at the age of 88. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: Minnicon 8 (1974)
Photo by Dd-b
Series
Works by Ben Bova
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume Two A: The Greatest Science Fiction Novellas of All Time (1973) 909 copies
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume Two B: The Greatest Science Fiction Novellas of All Time (1973) — Editor — 794 copies
World-Building: A Writer's Guide to Constructing Star Systems and Life Supporting Planets (1996) — Editor — 343 copies
Time Travel: A Writer's Guide to the Real Science of Plausible Time Travel (1997) — Editor — 135 copies
Carbide Tipped Pens: Seventeen Tales of Hard Science Fiction (2016) — Editor; Contributor — 93 copies
Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact: Vol. XCVIII, No. 9 (September 1978) (1978) — Editor — 24 copies
Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact: Vol. XCVIII, No. 11 (November 1978) (1978) — Editor — 21 copies
Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact: Vol. LXXXVIII, No. 5 (January 1972) (1971) — Editor — 19 copies
Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact: Vol. LXXXVIII, No. 6 (February 1972) (1972) — Editor — 18 copies
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume I, IIA, IIB, the Greatest Science Fiction Novellas of All Time (Boxed Set, in… (1971) — Editor — 8 copies
Galerij der giganten 5 de beste science-fiction verhalen — Editor — 7 copies
Mount Olympus 7 copies
The System 3 copies
Slowboat to the Stars 3 copies
Peacemakers 2 copies
Omni, July 1981 2 copies
Science Fiction Hall of Fame vol 2b 2 copies
Science Fiction Hall of Fame vol 2 2 copies
ANALOG - Science Fiction Science Fact - Volume 96, number 1, 2, 3, 4 - January Jan February Feb March April 1976:… — Editor — 2 copies
In Quest of Quasars 2 copies
Analog II 2 copies
Sam Below Par 2 copies
Matrix Man 2 copies
L'astronave dell'esilio 1 copy
Trans Human 1 copy
Urania 1038 - ORION 1 copy
Weathermakers,The 1 copy
Rescue Mode 1 copy
Alvorada Lunar 1 copy
Los fabricantes del tiempo 1 copy
Marte - Volume 2 Livro 1 1 copy
Voyagers 2 1 copy
Omni, September 1982 1 copy
I guardiani del mondo 1 copy
The Weathermen 1 copy
The Amazing Laser 1 copy
The Best of Bova, Vol. 2 1 copy
Omni, August 1982 1 copy
Omni, July 1982 1 copy
Omni, June 1982 1 copy
Omni, May 1982 1 copy
Omni, April 1982 1 copy
Omni, March 1982 1 copy
Omni, January 1982 1 copy
Omni, December 1981 1 copy
Omni, June 1981 1 copy
Inspirationen: Story 1 copy
Planets, Life, & LGM 1 copy
Moon Race 1 copy
Acts of God 1 copy
Etre ou ne pas 1 copy
The Dueling Machine and Other Works by Ben Bova (Unexpurgated Edition) (Halcyon Classics) (2010) 1 copy
Unterwegs in die Welt von morgen (133): Als der Himmel Feuer fing - Von Menschen gejagt (1992) 1 copy
Orion [short story] 1 copy
The Best of Omni Science Fiction, Volumes 1 & 2 — Editor — 1 copy
THE SCIENCE FICTION HALL OF FAME VOLUME 2A, 2B, 3, 4 (4 VOLUMES) — Editor — 1 copy
Waterbot 1 copy
Shock In Trust 1 copy
Analog Science Fact and Fiction - 3 Vintage Issues - September 1974, February 1975, September 1977 — Editor — 1 copy
TAKES TWO TO TANGLE 1 copy
The Supersonic Zepplin 1 copy
Floodtide [Orion] 1 copy
The Kingdom Come 1 copy
Kinsman {short story} 1 copy
The Sightseers {short story} 1 copy
Mars Life 3 1 copy
Bova, Ben - Welfarewell 1 copy
Orion E La Morte Del Tempo 1 copy
Bova, Ben - Law & Order 1 copy
Bova, Ben - Crazy Ideas 1 copy
Omni Magazine May 1981 1 copy
Marsmenschen 1 copy
Battle station (short story) 1 copy
Brothers [short story] 1 copy
The uses of space 1 copy
Build Me a Mountain 1 copy
Milenio 1 copy
Test in Orbit (SS) 1 copy
Love Calls [short fiction] 1 copy
Associated Works
Analog Anthology #1: Fifty Years of the Best Science Fiction From Analog (1980) — Contributor — 107 copies
Gateways: A Feast of Great New Science Fiction Honoring Grand Master Frederik Pohl (2010) — Contributor — 95 copies
Nebula Awards 30: SFWA's Choices For The Best Science Fiction And Fantasy Of The Year (Nebula Awards Showcase) (1980) — Contributor — 86 copies
The Science Fiction Megapack: 25 Classic Science Fiction Stories by Masters (2011) — Author — 59 copies
One Lamp: Alternate History Stories from The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction (2003) — Contributor — 45 copies
The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction June 1991, Vol. 80, No. 6 (1991) — Contributor — 23 copies
Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact: Vol. LXXXVIII, No. 4 (December 1971) (1971) — Contributor — 19 copies
Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact: Vol. LXXVIII, No. 4 (December 1966) (1966) — Contributor — 17 copies
Analog Science Fact/Science Fiction: Vol. LXXIII, No. 5 (July 1964) (1964) — Contributor — 12 copies
Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine: Vol. 11, No. 12 [December 1987] (1987) — Contributor — 11 copies
Analog Science Fact/Science Fiction: Vol. LXXIV, No. 5 (January 1965) (1965) — Contributor — 11 copies
The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction November 1988, Vol. 75, No. 5 (1988) — Author — 10 copies
The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction November 1989, Vol. 77, No. 5 (1989) — Author — 8 copies
The far side of time, thirteen original stories;: A science fiction anthology (1974) — Contributor — 6 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Bova, Benjamin William
- Other names
- Williams, Oxford (pseudonym)
- Birthdate
- 1932-11-08
- Date of death
- 2020-11-29
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Place of death
- Naples, Florida, USA
- Cause of death
- COVID-19
stroke - Places of residence
- New York, New York, USA
West Hartford, Connecticut, USA - Education
- California Coast University (PhD - Education)
State University of New York, Albany (MA - Communications)
Temple University (BS - Journalism)
South Philadelphia High School - Occupations
- technical writer
editor
reporter
science adviser
science fiction writer
professor (Science Fiction) (show all 7)
commentator - Organizations
- National Space Society (President Emeritus)
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (Past President)
Analog Science Fiction
Omni
Martin Aircraft
Avco-Everett Research Laboratory (Marketing Manager) (show all 8)
Harvard University
Hayden Planetarium - Awards and honors
- Arthur C. Clarke Foundation (Lifetime Achievement Award ∙ 2005)
World Science Fiction Convention (Author Guest of Honor ∙ 2000)
E. E. Smith Memorial Award for Imaginative Fiction (1974)
Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award - Agent
- Eleanor Wood (Spectrum Literary)
- Short biography
- Born in 1932, Ben Bova was a long time editor association of the review of S-F, Analog. Author of several novels of which THX 1138 that the cinema made famous. (J' read, 1980)
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Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 445
- Also by
- 84
- Members
- 30,509
- Popularity
- #651
- Rating
- 3.5
- Reviews
- 498
- ISBNs
- 1,104
- Languages
- 13
- Favorited
- 33