James Edwin Gunn served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, after which he earned a journalism degree from the University of Kansas, followed by a Masters of Arts in English in 1951. He became the director of public relations for the University of Kansas. He then became a professor Professor of English, specializing in science fiction and fiction writing, and is currently a professor emeritus and director of the Center for the Study of Science Fiction. He served as President of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1971–1972 and was President of the Science Fiction Research Association from 1980–1982.