Bio: John Rankine, a.k.a. Douglas R. Mason, is an internationally renowned author responsible for some of the most exciting and engaging Science Fiction of the 1970's and 80's. With over forty novels to his name, including two historical novels, he was a natural choice to write many of the hugely popular Space 1999 adaptations. Two original books based on the characters followed and proved successful additions to the series. He was born in Hawarden, Flintshire, Wales, in 1918. After leaving Chester Grammar School in 1937, his course at Manchester University was interrupted by war service in Africa. He finally graduated in English Literature and Experimental Psychology in 1948.