John Holbrook Vance, better known to the literary world as Jack Vance, has died. He was 96.
Vance, a prolific author who penned more than 60 books in his more than 60-year career, wrote across multiple genres including mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy. Most of his work was penned under the name Jack Vance, but he also had multiple pseudonyms inducing Ellery Queen, Alan Wade, Peter Held, and John van See.
Friends and family, who manage Jack Vance’s site, have posted a message about the author’s passing:
“Jack Vance passed away at home on the evening of Sunday May 26, 2013, ending a long, rich and productive life. Recognized most widely as an author, family and friends also knew a generous, large-hearted, rugged, congenial, hard-working, optimistic and unpretentious individual whose curiosity, sense of wonder and sheer love of life were an inspiration in themselves. Author, friend, father and grandfather – there will never be another like Jack Vance.”
Vance won Hugo Awards for his 1963 work The Dragon Masters, as well as 1967’s The Last Castle. He also won for his 2010 memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance!. He also won a Nebula Award, an Edgar, a Jupiter Award, and a World Fantasy Award for his writing. He was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2001.
