RIP: Philip Jose Farmer

Click Here to View the Works of Philip Jose Farmer at Amazon

Well-known science fiction author, Philip Jose Farmer passed away yesterday at the age of 91. An American author, he was made famous by his science fiction and fantasy novels as well as his short stories. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, but spent much of his life in Peoria, Illinois, where he died.

Image via Wikipedia

Farmer was best known for his Riverworld series and the earlier World of Tiers series. He is noted for his use of sexual and religious themes in his work, his fascination for and reworkring of the lore of legendary pulp heroes, and occasional tongue-in-cheek pseudonymous works written as if by fictional characters.


While I have yet to read a novel by Farmer I did happen to read one of his most famous works “The Riders of the Purple Wage”, his novella for the famous anthology “Dangerous Visions” first published in 1978. It’s an excellent story (as well as an excellent anthology) and I urge anyone interested in the history of science fiction or New Wave to pick it up.

Farmer was also the recipient of two Hugo Awards (five nominations), two Nebula Award nominations, and a lifetime achievement winner of the World Fantasy Award.

For more  information click one of the links below.

Related articles by Zemanta

• RIP, Philip Jose Farmer (boingboing.net)
• Phillip José Farmer Crosses the River (wired.com)
• Philip Jose Farmer Has Died (mediabistro.com)
• Science fiction writer in residence gig open at Toronto’s wonderful Merril Collection (boingboing.net)