MILLS, Robert P(ark)

(1920-1986)

   US editor and literary agent, managing editor of The MAGAZINE OF FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION from its inception; he assumed the editorship proper with the Sep 1958 issue, following Anthony BOUCHER's resignation, remaining editor until Mar 1962 and continuing thereafter as consulting editor until Feb 1963. During his tenure FSF maintained its standing as the most sophisticated sf magazine and won HUGOS in 1959, 1960 and 1963. RPM edited several FSF anthologies, including The Best from Fantasy and Science Fiction: Ninth Series (anth 1960; cut vt Flowers forAlgernon and Other Stories 1960), Tenth Series (anth 1961) and Eleventh Series (anth 1962), as well as A Decade of Fantasy and Science Fiction (anth 1960) and Twenty Years of the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (anth 1970), the latter with Edward L. FERMAN. RPM was also editor of VENTURE SCIENCE FICTION during its first incarnation (1957-8), when the magazine was renowned for its "daring" approach to sexual topics. He also edited The Worlds of Science Fiction (anth 1963).After leaving FSF RPM became a literary agent, operating as Robert P. Mills Ltd, and during the 1960s and early 1970s served a prestigious list of clients. He sold theagency to Richard A. CURTIS in 1984.

   MJE