Forrest J Ackerman - SF Historian and Collector

Forry Ackerman was as charming and fascinating to listen to as ever, doing many panels and readings, attending the Masquerade and making his presence felt at the convention. Forry will always be considered CONvergence's FIRST guest of honor, just one of the countless firsts belonging to this legend of Sci-Fi.

Thirteen CONvergence members were drawn randomly at Opening Ceremonies from those who signed up, and these "Lucky 13" had the opportunity to sit down with Forry on Saturday morning for an intimate chat. The Lucky 13 were given autographed certificates as souvenirs of their special chat with Forry.

A legend of Science Fiction and Fantasy, the man who coined the term Sci-Fi: The one and only Forrest J Ackerman was our first CONvergence Guest of Honor.

Forry is a man of many firsts, including being the winner of the very first Hugo Award (and five more since!). Forry founded Famous Monsters of Filmland in 1958, which he would continue to write and edit for over 30 years. He has also written and edited countless Sci-Fi-related articles and books.

Forry is also the keeper of the largest collection of Sci-Fi and Fantasy memorabilia in the world. It fills his home, the world-famous Ackermansion.

Forry has called himself "A Sci-Fi sponge that should be squeezed for information and anecdotes for as long as I'm here." We thank Forry for sharing himself with us, and letting us "squeeze him" a little.

For more information of Forry's life, career, and collection, visit Forrest J Ackerman's Wide Webbed World.

Forry's panels at CVG 1999 included:

• From Scientifiction to Sci-Fi
• Two Readings from "Letter to an Angel: The Lon Chaney Story"
• I Remember Karlon Torgosi - Movie Monster Greats
• Forry Ackerman's Slide Show Presentation