Doug Webster

(April 1920 – late August, 2004)

Douglas William Lawrence 'Doug' Webster was a UK fan from Aberdeen in Scotland active in the 1930s and 1940s and into the 1960s. He was a member of the Science Fiction Association (SFA), joining in 1938.

A profile piece in Futurian War Digest #4 said

Editor of The Gentlest Art, poet, literateur and collector. Some 20 years old, missed being born on all-fools day only by a couple of days. In Dougie's own words 'Aberdonian born & bred – received excellent education at a Grammar School and am now at 'Varsity – science – tho' expect, due to War, to finish a course in jail. Not tall, nor dark, nor noticeably handsome. Don't drink or smoke; vegetarian too – what a collection of vices ! Hobbies; – besides s-f, collecting books on diverse subjects; films; stage; science; classics; rugby; tennis; etc; and etc...' At present on a farm due to tribunal 'sentence'. Seeking solace in a more active fannishness. Another grand letter writer.

Webster was the long-time stencil-cutter for Futurian War Digest and became the publisher of Fantast from #10 when Sam Youd was called up for service. Webster himself was a consciencious objector during the Second World War. He was also a Fanarchist, opposed to the existence of a general or even regional fan organisation, although this did not stop him joining the SFA and later coordinating the advisory board of the British Fantasy Society and acting as their liaison officer even though he was not himself a member. He applied the theory of Numerical fandoms to Britain (see Anglofan).

Futurian War Digest #33 (February 1944) reported that 'Due to lack of bookshelf space, lack of money, diminution of interest, and the quixotic mood of the moment' Webster was offering for sale some or all of his fanzine collection.

There is a 'Douglas Webster' at an address in London in Ron Bennett's Directory of Science Fiction Fandom from 1958. It's unclear if this is the same person but in Skyrack #83 Bennett said about the the 1965 Worldcon: 'Names from Fandoms Past abounded, amongst them Doug Webster...'.

Fanzines and Apazines:

• Cthulhu [1942]
• The Fantast (with C. S. Youd, beginning in 1941)
• The Gentlest Art [1940-41]
• Hellzapoppin [1941]

Some of Webster's own memories.

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Person

1920—2004

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