Donald E. Ford
Encyclopedia
Don Ford was an influential American science fiction fan
from Ohio
.
Don began reading science fiction in 1930, and his lifelong love of the genre led him into fandom
where he made many notable contributions in fan writing, fanzine
editing and convention-running. He possessed a notably large SF magazine collection. He was a leading member of the Cincinnati Fantasy Group (CFG) and a founder member of First Fandom
. He attended the 1948 Worldcon in Toronto
and in 1949 he chaired Cinvention, the seventh Worldcon
in Cincinnati. In 1950 he founded and chaired the first Midwestcon
. Well connected to fans in both the UK and US, he worked with Walt Willis
to develop TAFF
and he was the first TAFF US administrator. He won the 1959 TAFF race, attending the 1960 Eastercon
in London. He died unexpectedly on 2 April 1965 at the age of 44 from cancer.
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
from Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
Don began reading science fiction in 1930, and his lifelong love of the genre led him into fandom
Science fiction fandom
Science fiction fandom or SF fandom is a community or "fandom" of people actively interested in science fiction and fantasy and in contact with one another based upon that interest...
where he made many notable contributions in fan writing, fanzine
Science fiction fanzine
A science fiction fanzine is an amateur or semi-professional magazine published by members of science fiction fandom, from the 1930s to the present day...
editing and convention-running. He possessed a notably large SF magazine collection. He was a leading member of the Cincinnati Fantasy Group (CFG) and a founder member of First Fandom
First Fandom
First Fandom is an association of experienced science fiction fans.In 1958 a number of fans at Midwestcon realized amid table-talk that they all had been active in fandom for more than 20 years. This inspired the creation of an organization for longstanding fans under the initial chairmanship of...
. He attended the 1948 Worldcon in Toronto
6th World Science Fiction Convention
The 6th World Science Fiction Convention, also known as Torcon, was held July 3–5, 1948, at RAI Purdy Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was the first time the convention was held outside the United States....
and in 1949 he chaired Cinvention, the seventh Worldcon
7th World Science Fiction Convention
The 7th World Science Fiction Convention, also known as Cinvention, was held September 3–5. 1949, at the Hotel Metropole in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA....
in Cincinnati. In 1950 he founded and chaired the first Midwestcon
Midwestcon
Midwestcon is a science fiction convention held annually in the Cincinnati, Ohio area by the Cincinnati Fantasy Group.Midwestcon is an informal type of convention known as a "relaxacon," which means that it has no programming...
. Well connected to fans in both the UK and US, he worked with Walt Willis
Walt Willis
Walter Alexander Willis was a well-known Irish science fiction fan, resident in Belfast.Willis was awarded a 1958 Hugo Award as "Outstanding Actifan" , which replaced the Best Fanzine category that year. He was nominated for a best fan writer Hugo in 1969 and two retro-Hugos in the same category...
to develop TAFF
TransAtlantic Fan Fund
The Trans-Atlantic Fan Fund, often known as TAFF, was created in 1953 for the purpose of providing funds to bring well-known and popular members of science fiction fandom familiar to fans on both sides of the ocean, across the Atlantic.-History:...
and he was the first TAFF US administrator. He won the 1959 TAFF race, attending the 1960 Eastercon
Eastercon
Eastercon is the common name for the British national science fiction convention. From 1948 until the 1960s, the convention was held over the three-day Whitsun bank holiday at the end of May. Since then it has been held over the four-day Easter holiday weekend...
in London. He died unexpectedly on 2 April 1965 at the age of 44 from cancer.