14th World Science Fiction Convention

Participants

Attendance was approximately 850.

Guests of honor

• Arthur C. Clarke
• Robert Bloch (toastmaster)

Awards

1956 Hugo Awards

• Best Novel: Double Star, by Robert A. Heinlein
• Best Novelette: "Exploration Team", by Murray Leinster
• Best Short Story: "The Star", by Arthur C. Clarke
• Best Professional Artist: Frank Kelly Freas
• Best Professional Magazine: Astounding
• Best Fanzine: (tie)
  • Inside, edited by Ron Smith
  • Science Fiction Advertiser, edited by Ron Smith
• Best Feature Writer: Willy Ley
• Best Book Reviewer: Damon Knight
• Most Promising New Author: Robert Silverberg

Future site selection

The primary bid for the 15th World Science Fiction Convention was for London. This would be the first Worldcon outside North America, and there was a small but vocal jingoistic faction of Americans who argued for retaining the Worldcon in North America, claiming "If we let them have it they'll never give it back". Their campaign against the London proposal was opposed by other Americans, most audibly Anthony Boucher, and the London bid won by an ample margin, to loud cheers. There were reportedly petty efforts even after the vote was over to sabotage the London bid, but they failed to hinder it.

Notes

It was at this Worldcon that a group of fans (including Bob Tucker, Boyd Raeburn, Dick Eney, Ron Ellik, and Ted White) who had not paid the $7 fee for the convention banquet chose to sit in the balcony and listen to the Guest of Honor speeches. Convention chair Kyle had a messenger tell the "Balcony Insurgents" that Kyle had said they could not sit there. Since almost every fan who wrote about the convention reported the incident, "Dave Kyle Says You Can't Sit Here" became a fannish catchphrase.

References