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Puzzling Evidence from Dave LangfordThe important thing about Harry Harrison's birthdays is that you mustn't believe the claimed numbers. I know this thanks to doings long ago in 1978, when I put the arm on Harry to write a little bit for the UK Eastercon programme book -- an appreciation of our guest of honour, Robert Sheckley. Because we'd shared a bottle or three of Old Syrian Panther Sweat in the course of negotiations, Harry became amazingly indiscreet. (For the same reason, I woke up next morning with a peculiar tattoo on my arm to find myself a volunteer recruit in Camp Leon Trotsky and about to begin a 100-mile barefoot route march, but that's another story.) Here, then, is what he revealed. Judge for yourself what the man's true age might be. Note the subtle misdirection as regards precise centuries. Ponder on the age-old legend of the Wandering Esperantist ..."What can one possibly say about Robert Sheckley? A lot if one believes the mewling cries of 17 ex-wives and the groans of investors who lost their all in AAA Ace Interstellar Investments. But investors -- financial or marital -- take their chances in the marketplace of life, so who is to blame this handsome, cold-eyed, scathingly witty genius of the pen? Not I, for who can blame a writer who still uses a pen in these days -- not to mention a high stool, plastic shirtcuffs and a green eyeshade. If Sheckley seems a bit old-fashioned for an sf writer he is not to blame, for he has one of the finest minds of the thirteenth century. Yes, that is his secret. Longevity. Born in 1427, he has been writing ever since. It is not his fault that he could not sell until the middle of the twentieth century. Blame the foolish editors. But now the world and the future are his! Watch the words spluttering from his facile pen, as many as one or two a minute. Watch the books roll out -- often one a century! Oh what joys the readers of 2178 have in store! As one who is old enough to be his father (I have my secrets too) I ask all at the Eastercon to hail this genius of a writer ..." (Skycon Programme Book, 1978) Happy birthday, Harry, whichever one it is.
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