L. Sprague de Camp

Date of Birth: November 27, 1907

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: November 6, 2000

Biography

Lyon Sprague de Camp, commonly known as L. Sprague de Camp, was an influential American author born on November 27, 1907, in New York City. He was a prolific writer who contributed significantly to the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction. De Camp’s career spanned more than 60 years, during which he authored over 100 books and numerous short stories. He is perhaps best known for his work in the Conan the Barbarian series, where he collaborated with and extended the work of Robert E. Howard. De Camp was also a prominent figure in the science fiction community, serving as a mentor to many younger writers and being heavily involved in organizations like the Science Fiction Writers of America. He passed away on November 6, 2000, in Plano, Texas.

5 Interesting Facts about L. Sprague de Camp

1. L. Sprague de Camp served in the United States Navy during World War II, where he worked on the development of radar technology.

2. He co-authored “Lest Darkness Fall,” a seminal work in the alternate history genre, which explores the consequences of a modern man being transported to ancient Rome.

3. De Camp was a licensed professional engineer, having earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

4. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hugo Award for Best Non-Fiction Book for “The Great Fetish” and the Nebula Grand Master Award in 1978.

5. De Camp was also a well-regarded biographer, writing detailed and extensively researched biographies of H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from L. Sprague de Camp

1. “It does not pay a prophet to be too specific.”

2. “The chief difference between words and deeds is that words are always intended for men for their approbation, but deeds can be done only for God.”

3. “The trouble with conspiracies is that they rot internally.”

4. “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

5. “The purpose of writing is to make your mother and father drop dead with shame.”