Edwin Balmer

Edwin Balmer (July 26, 1883 – March 21, 1959) was an American science fiction and mystery writer.

Edwin Balmer
A portrait of Edwin Balmer by James Montgomery Flagg, published in The Indianapolis Times, 1923
A portrait of Edwin Balmer by James Montgomery Flagg, published in The Indianapolis Times, 1923
Born(1883-07-26)July 26, 1883
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMarch 21, 1959(1959-03-21) (aged 75)
OccupationWriter
GenreScience fiction, mystery

Biography

Balmer was born in Chicago to Helen Clark (Pratt) and Thomas Balmer. In 1909, he married Katharine MacHarg, sister of the writer William MacHarg. After her death, he married Grace A. Kee in 1927.

He began as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune in 1903 before writing for books and magazines. He was editor of Redbook (1927–1949) and later became associate publisher. He would then commission young writers to write up these ideas for inclusion in Redbook.[1]:52

He died on March 21, 1959, at age 75.

Novels

Together with author Philip Wylie, he wrote the catastrophe science fiction novels When Worlds Collide (1933) and After Worlds Collide (1934). The former was made into an award-winning 1951 movie by George Pal.

Balmer also wrote several detective novels and collaborated with William MacHarg on The Achievements of Luther Trant (1910), an early collection of detective short stories.

Comic strip

Balmer also helped create (with artist Marvin Bradley) the syndicated comic strip Speed Spaulding, partially based on the Worlds Collide series, which ran from 1938 through 1941 in the comic book Famous Funnies.

Bibliography

The April 1927 Amazing Stories cover-featured a reprint of "The Man in the Room", a Luther Trant detective story Balmer wrote together with William MacHarg

References

Citations
  1. Keefer, Truman F. (1978). Philip Wylie. Boston, MA: Twain Publishers.
Bibliography
  • Greasley, Philip A. (2001). Dictionary of Midwestern Literature. Vol. One: The Authors. Indiana University Press. p. 51. ISBN 0-253-33609-0.
  • Keefer, Truman F. (1978). Philip Wylie. Boston, MA: Twain Publishers.
  • Reilly, John M. (1985). 20th century Crime and Mystery Writers (2nd ed.). New York, NY: St. Martin's Press. p. 50. ISBN 0-312-82418-1.
  • Tuck, Donald H. (1974). The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Chicago, IL: Advent. p. 29. ISBN 0-911682-20-1.
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