Anthony Boucher

Anthony Boucher, born William Anthony Parker White, was an American author, critic, and editor best known for his work in the mystery, science fiction, and horror genres. He was born in Oakland, California, and attended the University of Southern California before receiving his Master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Boucher was a prolific writer, publishing many novels, short stories, and radio dramas under his own name as well as the pseudonym H.H. Holmes. His writing was highly regarded, with his novel "Nine Times Nine" being voted as one of the ninth best locked room mystery of all time in a poll of 17 detective story writers and reviewers. He was also the first English translator of Jorge Luis Borges, translating "El jardín de senderos que se bifurcan" for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.

In addition to his writing, Boucher was also an influential editor. He helped found the Mystery Writers of America in 1946 and was one of the first winners of the MWA's Edgar Award for his mystery reviews in the San Francisco Chronicle. He was also the founding editor of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction from 1949 to 1958, and won the Hugo Award for Best Professional Magazine in 1957 and 1958. He edited the long-running Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction anthology series, 1952-1959. His short story "The Quest for Saint Aquin" was included in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume One, 1929-1964, as one of the best science fiction short stories of all time.

Boucher was also involved in many other activities, including radio scripting, teaching writing classes, and serving as chief critic for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. He was also a devoted poker player, political activist, and rabid sport fan. He passed away on April 29, 1968, but his contributions to the fields of mystery, science fiction, and horror continue to be celebrated and studied.