Apart from being a successful writer, Robert (Albert) Bloch is remembered as one of the first
science fiction /
horror writers to move into
screenplays where he achieved lasting success with the
classic of all classics, "
Psycho".
Bloch was born April 5, 1917, and he began in fandom as a devotee of H. P. Lovecraft and wrote his first story, "Lilies", in 1934 for Marvel Tales. Like many of the Lovecraft fans and followers, Bloch's first book was published by August Derleth at Arkham House, "The Opener of the Way". Before that, however, Bloch wrote over 100 stories that saw publication in the various pulps of those years. Also during this period Bloch began scripting radio shows, learning skills he would later use in Hollywood. Bloch achieved a lot of attention for the story, "Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper".
In 1959 he won the Hugo Award for his "That Hell-Bound Train", and in 1984 he took home the Hugo Special Award. Furthermore, in 1975 he was given the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Bloch died in Los Angeles, CA, September 23, 1994, 77 years old.