Jack Gibson

(1919 – ????)

Jack Gibson was a UK fan from Dorset active in the 1940s. He created and maintained the Science Fiction Exchange (SFX), a postal library where the lists were distributed alongside Futurian War Digest. He was one of the UK representatives of the British Science-Fiction War Relief Society and a member of the advisory board of the British Fantasy Society and its librarian.

A self-written profile in Futurian War Digest #19 said:

Am 23 years old; 5 ft 9 ins in height. rather thickset; with brown hair, grey-green eyes one of which is practically useless and necessitates my wearing an eye-shield. Sax Rohmer's 'Fu Manchu' series helped to create a craving for 'unusual' fiction; thence via ERB, Wells etc to magazine stf, which I discovered in early '38. A letter to Tales of Wonder brought a suggestion from John Morgan that I should sub to FIDO, which, a year ago I did. Science Fiction Exchange was started at the same time – since when it has processed quite nicely, thanks to various kindly disposed fans. Work midst a bevy of females at the local Co-op. Have a profound faith in true Christianity which is not the type generally preached. As time goes on I tend towards a Socialistic outlook. Education up to H.S.C. standard. Favourite authors; Stuart, E. E. Smith, and Heinlein; favourite story: 'Forgetfulness'. Like music by Puccini, Schubert, Romberg, Lehar and that ilk, I almost forgot to mention that I was permanently exempted from military service.

Gibson proposed the Science Fiction Exchange in April 1941 and issued its first list in August. Further lists followed. He joined the British Fantasy Society and was appointed to its advisory board. He also became its librarian and proposed the formation of an Esperanto group. However Futurian War Digest #24 reported that he had resigned as librarian, 'his health no longer permitting him to fulfill the obligations of the position'. In number #27 he elaborated:

My thanks are extended to all those who have enquired about me and my apologies to those who have written to me during these last four months and to whom it has been impossible to send a reply. Thanks largely to the services of one of the best occulists in the country my eyes are considerately better. Sufficiently so at any rate to permit reading and writing again, to some extent. Howsoever I'm extremely shortsighted and will remain so. It is barely possible that I may resume my fan activities - tho on a considerably reduced scale, in the near future. But I make no promises.

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Person

1919—????

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