Arthur W. Saha

Arthur William Saha (October 31, 1923 – November 19, 1999) was an American speculative fiction editor and anthologist, closely associated with publisher Donald A. Wollheim.

Life

Saha was the son of William and Henrikka Saha, Finns. After serving in the Merchant Marine during World War II, he enrolled in and graduated from Columbia University. Saha also worked as a research chemist and is credited with the patent for the first fire resistant ironing board cover and for various paints and pigments used on the exteriors of the first space satellites. At one time he was a resident of Minnesota; in his later years Saha resided in Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York. While living in New York City, he was an early associate of the Beats. He died of cancer.

Career in speculative fiction

Saha became active in New York City science fiction fandom, becoming a member of the Futurians and First Fandom, and was a close associate and ally of Wollheim and Frederik Pohl in the early fan wars.

Later an editor at Wollheim's publishing house DAW Books, Saha co-edited numerous "best of the year" science fiction anthologies with Wollheim, and Wollheim’s choice as successor to Lin Carter as editor of a similar line of fantasy anthologies. Saha’s compilations were routinely entered in the Locus Poll Award for Best Anthology; The 1978 Annual World's Best SF he co-edited with Wollheim came in...
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