John Craig

(1908 – ????)

John C. Craig, known as Zeus, was a UK fan from London active in the 1940s. He attended the Bombcon gathering on September 20-21, 1940.

Profiled in Futurian War Digest of May 1942, he said:

Commonly called Zeus. The origin of this is lost in the mists of antiquity though I strongly suspect that Doug Webster had something to do with it (as usual). Born March 1908 (yes, '08) Temperament like the March winds and quite intolerant of intolerance and injustice. Believe that conflict (not necessarily armed) is the basis of Homo Sapiens' existence. Educated – At a private school for the "Sons of Gentlemen". Ha! Ha! Learned most of what I know empirically. Profession, Surveyor, Municipal employee. Rebellious by nature and disgustingly inquisitive. So interested in most things that I am a dilettante and find it hard to concentrate on one hobby for long. Married – thoroughly – one son – Philip, aged 3, whose passion is cars and engines. Calls me Johnny, the disrespectful little devil.

The Boys Own Paper, Jules Verne and Rider Haggard plus the lesser lights Herbert Strong and Charles Gilson form the early basis of my fantasy enjoyment. Earliest recollection of American S.F. is looking at an All Story Weekly of my brother's. There was a golden sphinxlike creature on the cover. Opening the book I read. One phrase sticks in my mind to this day. 'The ring was in motion!'. Guess. It was The Metal Monster by Merritt. Then I remember Flint, and the Man in the Moon - and so on and so on and so on; and still retain my interest in all stories of the unusual. Damnit that makes me one of the oldest fans in England, It earns me the right to be called Zeus.

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Person

1908—????

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