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Samuel R. Delany

サミュエル・アール・デラニー

Samyueru R. Derani

Aliases: Samuel Ray Delany Jr. / Chip Delany
Pen Names: K. Leslie Steiner（Pseudonym used on some essays and publications）, S. L. Kermit（Alternate pen name used at times）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1942-04-01 （Harlem, New York City, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Atheism
Residence History
Harlem (birth/early life) → East Village, New York City (residence) → London (1972–1974) → Buffalo (academic appointments) → Albany (academic appointments) → Amherst (UMass Amherst faculty) → Philadelphia (Temple University faculty until retirement)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Editor, Professor, Literary critic
Active Years
1962-
Affiliations
SUNY Buffalo (visiting/teaching appointments), SUNY Albany (visiting appointments), University of Massachusetts Amherst (comparative literature faculty), Temple University (English faculty)
Memberships
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA)
Influenced By
J. G. Ballard, Brian W. Aldiss, Roger Zelazny, Leslie Fiedler
Influenced
Nisi Shawl, Kim Stanley Robinson, Contemporary queer writers and critics

Education

Dalton School
Period: 小中等教育
Country: United States
Private school for early education
Bronx High School of Science
Period: 1950年代〜1960年頃
Year of Graduation: 1960
Country: United States
Published first short story in school magazine while attending
City College of New York
Period: 在学（1学期）
Country: United States
Dropped out after one semester

Awards

Nebula Award (Best Novel)
1966
Work: Babel-17
Category: Best Novel
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: winner
Nebula Award (Best Novel)
1967
Work: The Einstein Intersection
Category: Best Novel
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: winner
Hugo Award (Short Story)
1970
Work: Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones
Category: Best Short Story
Organization: World Science Fiction Society (WSFS)
Result: winner
Stonewall Book Award
2008
Work: Dark Reflections
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: winner
J. Lloyd Eaton Lifetime Achievement Award in Science Fiction
2010
Organization: Eaton Science Fiction Conference (UCR Libraries)
Result: winner
Brudner Prize
2013
Organization: Yale University (LGBTS)
Result: winner
SFWA Grand Master
2013
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Result: inducted
Anisfield-Wolf Lifetime Achievement Award
2021
Organization: Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
Result: winner
World Fantasy Award (Lifetime Achievement)
2022
Organization: World Fantasy Awards
Result: winner
Lambda Literary Award (LGBTQ Erotica)
2022
Work: Big Joe
Category: LGBTQ Erotica
Organization: Lambda Literary Foundation
Result: winner
Pilgrim Award
1985
Organization: Science Fiction Research Association
Result: winner
David R. Kessler Award (LGBTQ Studies)
1997
Organization: CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies
Result: winner
Inkpot Award
2012
Organization: Comic-Con International
Result: winner
Sir Arthur C. Clarke Imagination in Service to Society Award
2021
Organization: Arthur C. Clarke Foundation
Result: winner
MAPACA Divine Impact Award
2024
Organization: MAPACA
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Babel-17

1966 Science fiction (New Wave)

A science-fiction novel exploring language and perception; how language shapes cognition and reality.

LanguagePerceptionIdentity

The Einstein Intersection

1967 Science fiction (New Wave)

A novel blending mythic elements with science fiction, reinterpreting myths and language.

MythLanguageGender and identity

Dhalgren

1975 Psychological SF / Experimental novel

A major novel exploring city life, identity, and narrative reflexivity; received both acclaim and controversy.

CityReflection and refractionIdentity

The Motion of Light in Water

1988 Memoir / Nonfiction

A memoir recounting Delany's early years as a writer, his sexuality, and publishing experiences.

MemoirGenderPublishing

Dark Reflections

2007 Contemporary novel

A contemporary novel dealing with repression, aging, and the unrewarded life of a writer. Stonewall Book Award winner.

AgingRepressionAuthorship

Bibliography

  • The Jewels of Aptor (1962)
  • Babel-17 (1966)
  • The Einstein Intersection (1967)
  • Nova (1968)
  • Dhalgren (1975)
  • Return to Nevèrÿon (series)
  • The Motion of Light in Water (1988)
  • Times Square Red, Times Square Blue (1999)
  • Dark Reflections (2007)
  • Through the Valley of the Nest of Spiders (2012)

Adaptations

  • Documentary 'The Polymath, or, The Life and Opinions of Samuel R. Delany, Gentleman' (2007)
  • Featured on PBS series 'Articulate' (2022)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
ExperimentalPoetic and precise use of languageTheoretically informed and critical prose
Recurring Motifs
Jewels, reflection and refractionLanguage and perceptionUrban and public spacesSexuality

Legacy

Samuel R. Delany is a major figure spanning New Wave SF, queer literature, and Black literary studies. He is acclaimed for pioneering works on language, gender, and urbanity, and his many awards and hall-of-fame inductions reflect significant impact on both fiction and scholarship.

Academic Societies

  • Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA)

Archives

  • Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University (Samuel R. Delany Papers)
  • Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center (previously housed papers)

In Popular Culture

  • The Polymath documentary (2007)
  • Featured on PBS 'Articulate' (2022)

Quotes

  • "Though I'm an atheist, I think Santa is a generous, large-hearted image that has lost a lot of its religious baggage."
    Source: Philadelphia City Paper (December 8, 2009) (2009)

Trivia

  • Adopted the nickname 'Chip' at summer camp as a child.
  • His name has frequently been misspelled (reported over 60 occasions).
  • Has identified as gay since adolescence though he was married to Marilyn Hacker for many years.
  • Papers and archive are housed at Yale's Beinecke Library.