Crucial to spreading science fiction to continental Europe—and bringing continental Europe to the Fortean Society.
I do not have a lot of documented facts on the early life of Julian Frederick Parr. Almost everything comes from remembrances. He was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England during the summer of 1923, likely on 3 August. I’m not sure who his parents were, what they did for a living, or anything about his possible siblings. He evinced an early interest in space, and was a member of the British Interplanetary Society no later than 1934. Two years later, he discovered science fiction, coming across some American pulps for sale in his hometown. Parr had difficulty getting his hands on much science fiction literature, though—the material from America was inconsistent and expensive—so in 1939 he hectographed fliers for a Stoke-on-Trent science fiction club and slipped these between the pages of science fiction magazines on the stands. Soon enough, the club formed, with some twelve regular members, who could join their money to buy more material, which they then shared, Parr biking from house to house on Saturdays swapping out the various magazines and books.
I do not have a lot of documented facts on the early life of Julian Frederick Parr. Almost everything comes from remembrances. He was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England during the summer of 1923, likely on 3 August. I’m not sure who his parents were, what they did for a living, or anything about his possible siblings. He evinced an early interest in space, and was a member of the British Interplanetary Society no later than 1934. Two years later, he discovered science fiction, coming across some American pulps for sale in his hometown. Parr had difficulty getting his hands on much science fiction literature, though—the material from America was inconsistent and expensive—so in 1939 he hectographed fliers for a Stoke-on-Trent science fiction club and slipped these between the pages of science fiction magazines on the stands. Soon enough, the club formed, with some twelve regular members, who could join their money to buy more material, which they then shared, Parr biking from house to house on Saturdays swapping out the various magazines and books.