Acclaimed science fiction satirist William Tenn, real name Philip Klass, died on 7 February, 2010, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

He was a regular contributor to short story magazines with subversive takes on standard science fiction subjects. He also published two novels and several anthologies.

He was also an academic at Pennsylvania State University and published a number of essays. His 2004 collection Dancing Naked: The Unexpurgated William Tenn was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Related Book.

His other honours include being made an Author Emeritus by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 1999 and being guest at honour at several sci-fi conventions.

Theodore Sturgeon once said of Tenn: “His incredibly involved and complex mind can at times produce constructive comment so pointed and astute that the fortunate recipient is permanently improved by it.”

William Tenn, 89, was survived by his wife Fruma Klass, also a successful short story and essay writer, and daughter Adina.