Forrest J Ackerman Papers Now Open for Research

Forrest J Ackerman papers

Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is pleased to announce that the processing of the Forrest J Ackerman papers has been completed and the collection is now open for research. Forrest J Ackerman (1916-2008), American science fiction author, editor, agent, collector and fan, was awarded the “#1 Fan Personality” at the 1953 Hugo Awards and is credited with coining the term “sci-fi” in 1955. He wrote for some of the earliest science fiction fanzines and advocated for wider recognition of the genre through his own writing, as well as in his work as a magazine editor and a literary agent. Represented within the collection in over seven hundred archival boxes are approximately three thousand individual correspondents, including notable science fiction writers Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury and Andre Norton. Also included in the collection are over one thousand unique fanzine titles, as well as stories, novels and non-fiction works by Ackerman and many others. Explore the contents of the Forrest J Ackerman papers through the online finding aid available on the Libraries website.

“The Forrest J Ackerman papers will be of great interest to those researching in fields including material culture, print culture, the development of fandom and participatory culture, and especially the literary and film genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror” says SCRC’s Curator of 20^th century to present, Daniel Sarmiento. Sarmiento also notes that the broad range of materials within this collection, including memorabilia, correspondence, fanzines, photographs, video recordings and artifacts, will make for exciting instructional opportunities and classroom discussion.

The completion of the seven-year-long intensive archival processing project was made possible in part by a $17,000 grant in 2021-2022 from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. “Financial support from the Delmas Foundation enabled graduate students from Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies and those in the Art History and Museum Studies programs gain direct, hands-on archival experience completing the processing of this substantial collection. These students will forever have a role in making these rare and unique materials available to Syracuse University students, staff, faculty and the local and global communities,” says SCRC Director, Nicolette A. Dobrowolski.

SCRC has strong collection holdings in the area of pulp literature and science fiction. SCRC hours and visitor information are available online.