Reginald Bretnor, born Alfred Reginald Kahn in 1911, was an American author, editor, and military theorist who made significant contributions to the science fiction genre between the 1950s and 1980s. While he wrote extensively, he is also highly regarded for his pioneering work in editing some of the earliest volumes that analyzed science fiction through the lens of literary theory and criticism.
As an editor, Bretnor compiled influential compendia, including a trilogy of symposia that began with Science Fiction Today and Tomorrow: A Discursive Symposium in 1975. His editorial work helped elevate the critical standing of science fiction during a period of rapid genre evolution. Beyond fiction, Bretnor was a dedicated scholar of military history, theory, and futurology, publishing a trilogy on the subject that commenced with The Future of War in 1979, alongside various writings on public affairs.
As a fiction writer, Bretnor primarily worked in the short story format. His narrative style often leaned toward the whimsical, frequently employing ironic plot twists and lighthearted themes that set his work apart from the more hard-boiled or strictly technological science fiction of his contemporaries. He continued to write and publish until his death in 1992.
