11th World Science Fiction Convention

The 11th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Philcon II, was held on 5–7 September 1953 at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.^[1][2] It was the first Worldcon to present the Hugo Awards.

Philcon II, the 11th World Science Fiction Convention
The Bellevue Stratford Hotel
Genre	Science fiction
Dates	5–7 September 1953
Venue	Bellevue-Stratford Hotel
Location(s)	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Country	United States
Attendance	~750
Filing status	non-profit

The supporting organization was the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society. The chairman was Milton A. Rothman, replacing the late James A. Williams.^[3]

Participants

Attendance was approximately 750.

Guests of Honor

^[4][5]

• Willy Ley
• Isaac Asimov (toastmaster)

Awards

Main article: Hugo Award

The World Science Fiction Society administers and presents the Hugo Awards,^[6] the oldest and most noteworthy award for science fiction. Selection of the recipients is by vote of the Worldcon members. Categories include novels and short fiction, artwork, dramatic presentations, and various professional and fandom activities.^[6][7]

Other awards may be presented at Worldcon at the discretion of the individual convention committee. This has often included the national SF awards of the host country, such as the Japanese Seiun Awards as part of Nippon 2007,^[8] and the Prix Aurora Awards as part of Anticipation in 2009. The Astounding Award for Best New Writer and the Sidewise Award, though not sponsored by the Worldcon, are usually presented, as well as the Chesley Awards, the Prometheus Award, and others.^[8][9]

1953 Hugo Awards

This Worldcon was the first one that awarded Hugo Awards. The next one (the 12th) did not do so, but since the 13th, Hugo Awards have been a permanent fixture of Worldcons.

• Best Novel: The Demolished Man, by Alfred Bester (Galaxy January, February, March 1952; Shasta, 1951)
• Best Professional Magazine: (tie)
  • Astounding Science Fiction, edited by John W. Campbell, Jr.
  • Galaxy Science Fiction, edited by H. L. Gold
• Best Cover Artist: (tie)
  • Hannes Bok
  • Ed Emshwiller
• Best Interior Illustrator: Virgil Finlay
• Excellence in Fact Articles: Willy Ley
• Best New SF Author or Artist: Philip José Farmer
• #1 Fan Personality: Forrest J. Ackerman

See also

• Hugo Award
• Science fiction
• Speculative fiction
• World Science Fiction Society
• Worldcon

References

1. "Journey to Moon Beckons World Science Fiction Meet". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. 1953-09-05. p. 12. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
2. "Fiction Fans Talk Science". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. 1953-09-06. p. 2A. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
3. "James A. Williams". The New York Times. 1953-03-24. p. 31. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
4. "Science-Fiction Fans Meet in Philadelphia". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. 1953-09-05. p. 6. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
5. "Space Fans, Scientists To Discuss Trip to Moon". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. 1953-09-05. p. 20. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
6. "Article 3: Hugo Awards". WSFS Constitution. World Science Fiction Society. 2008. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2009.
7. Franklin, Jon (October 30, 1977). "Star roars: this year's champs in science fiction". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, MD. p. D5. Archived from the original on March 8, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
8. "Awards". Nippon2007: 65th World Science Fiction Convention. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
9. "1953 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. World Science Fiction Society. 2007-07-26. Retrieved 2011-03-07.

Preceded by 10th World Science Fiction Convention Chicon II in Chicago, Illinois, United States (1952)	List of Worldcons 11th World Science Fiction Convention Philcon II in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (1953)	Succeeded by 12th World Science Fiction Convention SFCon in San Francisco, California, United States (1954)