11th World Science Fiction Convention

The 11th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Philcon II, was held on 5–7 September 1953 at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was the first Worldcon to present the Hugo Awards.

The supporting organization was the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society. The chairman was Milton A. Rothman, replacing the late James A. Williams.

Participants
Attendance was approximately 750.

Guests of Honor

 * Willy Ley
 * Isaac Asimov (toastmaster)

1953 Hugo Awards
This Worldcon was the first one that awarded Hugo Awards. The next one (the 12th) did not do so, but since the 13th, Hugo Awards have been a permanent fixture of Worldcons.


 * Best Novel: The Demolished Man, by Alfred Bester (Galaxy January, February, March 1952; Shasta, 1951)
 * Best Professional Magazine: (tie)
 * Astounding Science Fiction, edited by John W. Campbell, Jr.
 * Galaxy Science Fiction, edited by H. L. Gold
 * Best Cover Artist: (tie)
 * Hannes Bok
 * Ed Emshwiller
 * Best Interior Illustrator: Virgil Finlay
 * Excellence in Fact Articles: Willy Ley
 * Best New SF Author or Artist: Philip José Farmer
 * #1 Fan Personality: Forrest J. Ackerman