Joseph Harold ("Harry") Dockweiler (1920- August 1948) was a science-fiction author and literary agent. Dockweiler was best known by his pen name Dirk Wylie. Dockweiler was a member of The Futurians, a 1940s-era science-fiction fan community.[1]
In 1934, a teen Dockweiler had a letter published in periodical Wonder Stories inquiring about "Science Fiction Week".[3] Both Dockweiler and Pohl dropped out of Brooklyn tech after their junior year.[4]
In 1937, Dockweiler published a fanzine titled Fantasy Mirror.[4] As an adult, Dockweiler wrote stories in collaboration with Frederik Pohl, Arnold Kummer Jr. and Cyril M. Kornbluth.[5] Dockweiler also used the pen names "Dennis Lavond" and "Elliott Whitney".
In 1937, Dockweiler joined the Committee for the Political Advancement of Science Fiction (CPASF), a left-wing group of Futurians who supported the views of fellow member John B. Michel.[6]
When the Futurians group fractured, Dockweiler and Pohl followed Michel and Donald Wollheim to form the East New York Science Fiction League.[2] In 1940, Dockweiler married fellow Futurian Rosalind "Roz" Cohen.[2][4]
Dockweiler was drafted and served as a sergeant in a military police company in World War 2. He was stationed in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge.[2] Dockweiler suffered a spine injury after jumping from a transport truck; he was evacuated from theater and spent two years in a Veterans Administration hospital.[4] While hospitalized, Dockweiler penned a letter to Amazing Stories in which he reported two instances of having witnessed an unidentified objects, in some cases rise from the ocean and returning to it.[7]
In 1947, Dockweiler and Pohl set up the "Dirk Wylie Literary Agency".[8][9] In August 1948, Dockweiler died from tuberculosis of the spine.[2] After his death, Pohl and Rosalin continued to run the agency.[2]
Works
"Stepsons of Mars" (April 1940 Astonishing Stories) (with C M Kornbluth and Richard Wilson)
"Vacant World" (January 1941 Super Science Stories) (with C M Kornbluth)
Stuff (1940)
The Mantle of Graag (1941) with Robert A. W. Lowndes and Frederik Pohl
Something from Beyond (1941) with Robert A. W. Lowndes and Frederik Pohl