Joseph Wrzos

Joseph Henry Wrzos (pronounced "Ross"; September 9, 1929 – April 7, 2023) was a science fiction writer and editor who published most of his early work under the name Joseph Ross.

Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Wrzos graduated from Central High School in 1947.

After graduating from Rutgers University in 1952, Wrzos studied at Columbia University, and in 1953 joined Gnome Press, working as an assistant editor where he remained until 1954.

Wrzos also was an editor at Amazing Stories, where he succeeded Cele Goldsmith Lalli and worked under Sol Cohen, and at Fantastic.

Other projects with which he was involved included collaborations with Sam Moskowitz and with Peter Ruber; as well, when Amazing Stories was relaunched in 2012, he served as a consultant.

Wrzos was also an educator and librarian, who first worked as a school librarian at Roselle Park High School and for five years at the Newark Public Library, and who taught English and French at Millburn High School from 1957 to 1995.

Wrzos died on April 7, 2023, in Saddle River, New Jersey.

Recognition

In 2016, Wrzos was inducted into the First Fandom Hall of Fame.

References

  1. ↑ Gilliland, Paula. "New realms for the king's English", The Star-Ledger, August 22, 1971. Accessed June 5, 2026, via Newspapers.com. "'Education should keep in tune with contemporary events. it should continually evolve in a consistent and viable direction,' said the chairman, Joseph Wrzos (pronounced 'Ross')."
  2. 1 2 3 Joseph Wrzos (1929–2023), by John Coker III, at File 770; published April 9, 2023; retrieved June 5, 2026
  3. 1 2 3 "Schools to Open Sept. 5 With 22 New Teachers", The Item of Millburn and Short Hills, August 29, 1957. Accessed June 5, 2026, via Newspapers.com. "Joseph H. Wrzos attended Cleveland Jr. High School, Newark, for one year, then transferred to Central High School, Newark, graduating in 1947. In 1952 he received his A.B. degree from Rutgers University, Since 1954 he has been doing graduate work towards the M.A. degree in English. Mr. Wrzos has had one year of teaching experience as Teacher Librarian at the Roselle Park High School during the last school year. Between 1947 and 1952 he served as Ass't. Librarian at the Newark Public Library; from 1952 to 1954 as Associate Editor for the Gnome Press, Inc., New York City, and between 1954 and 1956 as Library Ass't. at the John Cotton Dana Library, Rutgers University, Newark. Mr. Wrzos will teach English and French at the Senior High School."
  4. ↑ Joseph Wrzos (1929–2022) ; at Locus; published April 10, 2023; retrieved June 5, 2026
  5. ↑ Joseph Wrzos, September 9, 1929 — April 7, 2023, by Rich Horton; at Black Gate; published April 29, 2023; retrieved June 5, 2026
  6. 1 2 3 Ross, Joseph; at The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction; by Mike Ashley and Peter Nicholls; last updated October 13, 2025; retrieved June 6, 2026