Most of the biography info is taken from "It's Down the Slippery Cellar Stairs" and "Cranky old man from Tulsa" Life American Science Fiction author. Born 11. July 1914 (says one source) or 7. November 1914 in Neola/Iowa. The latter is the probably true date. Father Hugh David Lafferty (a broker for oil leases and royalties), mother Julia Mary Burke (a schoolteacher) Named Raphael, because he was supposed to be born on St, Raphaels day, but arrived 14 days late. (Now when is St. Raphaels day ?) Moved to Perry/Oklahoma at the age of 4, later to Tulsa/Oklahoma. Attends University of Tulsa in 1933, but leaves after one year Begins work for Clark Electrical Supply Co. in Tulsa Supposedly worked for a newspaper also. In 1942 he enlists to the U.S. Army where he serves until 1946. Final rank: Sergeant. Started writing and publishing short stories in the very late fifties. (age 45+) Sells his first piece to the New Mexico Quaterly Review titled The Wagons in 1959. First (?) short story Day of the Glacier. First novel Past Master. published in 1968 (Ace) Wrote over 200 short stories and over a dozen novels. Stopped writing around 1980, because of health problems (stroke) Suffered a bad stroke in 1994, and is said to be severely incapacitated. Still alive!!! Latest news: according to his cousin he's doing well!

Awards Nominated for numerous Nebula and Hugo awards. Won the Phoenix Award 1971 for an unknown (to me) work Won Invisible Little Man Award in 1972 Won the Hugo award 1972 with "Eurema's Dam".; Won Smith Award in 1973 Won World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990 Nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award in 1993 for "Iron Tears". Won the Arell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995 Personality Irish descendant Devout catholic Affinity for Indians Does not drive a car Does not like sports / Does very much like sports (depending on who you ask) Cut back on drinking to pursue writing. Or the other way round: pursued writing to cut back on drinking. But as Carol De Priest relayed to me, he was known to always have a drink in his hand at the SF conventions. Read and memorized Groliers History of the World at the age of ten and supposedly can still recite passages verbatim nowadays. (folklore) Obsessed by Snakes. (Is there a story without one ?) Contact Lafferty's mail address         Franciscan Villa Health Care Center J-54         17110 E. 51st Street South         Broken Arrow, OK 74012         USA Do not expect an answer, as his health might not be up to it. His agent is:         Virginia Kidd         Box 278         538 E. Harford Str.         Milford, Pa 18337         USA