Hugo Gernsback (1884-1967) might be described as the embodiment of the American dream: frustrated by the limited opportunities available in his native country of Luxembourg, Gernsback emigrated to America, and by means of his hard work and innovative ideas, he established himself as a wealthy businessman and magazine publisher. Furthermore, because of his key role in naming, describing, and promoting a new form of literature called science fiction, Gernsback became yet another immigrant who has made a significant and lasting contribution to American culture. However, Gernsback can also be said to represent the dark side of the American dream: his obsession with achieving financial success contributed to two failed marriages and drove him to unscrupulous business dealings, including a…
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Citation: Westfahl, Gary. "Hugo Gernsback". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 28 December 2009 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1720, accessed 27 November 2024.]
