BRADLEY, MARION ZIMMER

born June 3, 1930, Albany, N.Y., U.S. ne Marion Zimmer American writer, known especially for her many science fiction novels of the Darkover series and for her reimaginings of classical myths and legends from women characters' perspectives. Marion Zimmer studied at the New York State College for Teachers from 1946 to 1948 and, after her career was established, graduated from Hardin-Simmons College in 1964. In 1949 she married Robert A. Bradley, from whom she later was divorced. She retained his name professionally. Bradley was a prolific writer, producing numerous historical, fantasy, and gothic novels and short stories under her own name and several pseudonyms. She is, however, best known for her many science fiction novels and stories. She published her first important work, a story entitled Centaurus Changeling, in 1954. Her first novel, The Door Through Space, appeared in 1961. Two more novels, The Sword of Aldones and The Planet Savers, were published in 1962. Both take place on Darkover, a planet that is home to a lost Terran (Earth) colony. It became the setting for a series of more than 20 science fiction novels by Bradley; in addition, other writers set their own work on Darkover. Bradley achieved best-seller status with The Mists of Avalon (1982), a retelling of the Arthurian legend with an emphasis on the female characters. Similarly, The Firebrand (1987) reworked the Iliad from the perspective of the female characters. Bradley continues to write science fiction and fantasy. She also edits Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine.