John Brian Francis "Jack" Gaughan, pronounced like 'gone' (September 24, 1930 – July 21, 1985),[1] was an American science fiction artist and illustrator and multiple winner of the Hugo Award in the category of Best Professional Artist.
Career
John Brian Francis Gaughan was born September 24, 1930, in Springfield, Ohio, to James J. and Elizabeth Gaughan.[2]
Working primarily with Donald A. Wollheim at Ace Books, and DAW Books from 1971, his simple linear style brought to life images of such works as Andre Norton's Witch World novels and E. E. Smith's Lensmen and Skylark novels (for which he did two related sets of Pyramid Books covers). His broad visual vocabulary enabled him to render the objects, spaceships and scenes in whatever was presented to him as they were described in the books and stories he illustrated. That was especially an accomplishment as many of these authors drew on their knowledge of esoteric subjects for their imagery. This ability made him very popular among people with an engineering background.[citation needed]
Beside his professional work, he was a frequent contributor to SF fan magazines. In his heyday he was often nominated for Hugo Awards for best professional artist and best fan artist. In 1967, he won both awards in the same year.[10]Locus ran a column by him for a while.
^"Samuel R. Delany Writing: 'We, in Some Strange Power's Employ, Move on a Rigorous Line,'" by Jack Gaughan, Rifton, NY, 1967, described in jacket illustration copy for The Motion of Light in Water by Samuel R. Delany, Arbor House, William Morror, 1988.