RIP, Harry Harrison

RIP, Harry Harrison, author of Make Room, Make Room (which was the basis for the movie Soylent Green) and the absolutely hilarious and indispensable Stainless Steel Rat books. I only met Harry once, when he was put on a panel with me about "Campbell Award winners." He quickly figured out that all the panelists except him were there for winning the Campbell Award for Best New Writer, while he'd won the Campbell Award for Best SF Novel of the Year (the two awards are named for the same person, John W Campbell, but are otherwise unrelated and awarded on totally different bases). He was gracious and humorous and sweet, and then he left to have a drink.

Harrison was 87 years old, and his cause of death isn't given on the official announcement. He was one of the field's greats. I hope he went peacefully, and wish the most sincere condolences on those who knew him and loved him personally, speaking as someone who admired him and his work from afar.

RIP, Harry Harrison