Hugo Gernsback (August 16 1884 - August 19 1967) was born in Luxembourg, and immigrated to the United States in 1905. He married three times: to Rose Harvey in 1906, Dorothy Kantrowitz in 1921, and Mary Hancher in 1951. In 1925, Hugo founded radio station WRNY and was involved in the first television broadcasts. He died in New York City in 1967.
Gernsback started the modern genre of science fiction by founding the first magazine dedicated to it, Amazing Stories, in 1926. He also played a key role in starting Science Fiction Fandom, by publishing the addresses of people who wrote letters to his magazines.
The Science Fiction Achievement award, given to various works each year by vote of the members of the World Science Fiction Society, is named the "Hugo" after him. He was one of 1996's inaugural inductees into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
Gernsback developed the pen name "Ralph 124C 41" in 1911, and held 80 patents by the time he died.
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