Robert Augustine Ward "Doc" Lowndes (September 4, 1916 - July 14, 1998) was an American science fiction author, editor and fan. He was known best as the editor of Future Science Fiction, Science Fiction, and Science Fiction Quarterly. Lowndes was also a horror enthusiast-- he wrote a number of dark fantasy stories such as "The Abyss" (1941) and "The Leapers" (1942), inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. During 1963, Lowndes continued his interest in horror by initiating The Magazine of Horror (1963-1971) for Health Knowledge Inc., which mixed reprints with new stories. The magazine was popular and spawned several companion magazines-- Startling Mystery Stories, Famous Science Fiction (both 1966) Weird Terror Tales (1969) and Bizarre Fantasy Fiction (1970) . However, the collapse of Health Knowledge during 1971 ended these magazines. [1] Startling Mystery Stories was notable for carrying the first stories of Stephen King and F. Paul Wilson [2]. Lowndes was a principal member of the Futurians.[3] In 1991 he received the First Fandom Hall of Fame award.