Vince or Vincent, (but never 'Vinnie'!) Docherty is an active fan and con-runner, who co-chaired the Worldcon in 1995 & 2005. He was born in 1961 in Paisley, a town near Glasgow where he grew up and which he still considers his home town, despite living outside the UK for the last 17 years. He was interested in SF, Space and Science almost from birth, which he blames on the moon-race, Batman, Doctor Who and Gerry Anderson's 'Thunderbirds'. A voracious early reader, he was most inspired by the works of Olaf Stapledon , Arthur C. Clarke, Ursula Le Guin, Harlan Ellison and J.R.R. Tolkien. He retains a love of Hard SF to this day.
His first contact with organised SF fandom took place, when at age 16 he attended the first SF convention in Glasgow, Faircon '78. He recalls almost being too shy to meet the GoH, James White. After that first convention, he quickly became involved in organizing conventions as well as running the Strathclyde University SF Group, and reviewing films for the University newspaper, while doing research in quantum chemistry. He first chaired a con in 1983 and was then involved in organizing the (in)famous Glasgow Albacons of the 1980's as well as a couple of Eastercons. In 1987, shortly before the Brighton Worldcon, he and Mark Meenan visited the Glasgow SECC, starting a relationship with them which resulted in the two Glasgow Worldcons.
His science background led him to start work with a multinational energy company in 1987, and his career has taken him from Glasgow to London in the UK, then Muscat in Oman and later Groningen and currently The Hague in The Netherlands, where his ever-expanding book and art collection is probably contributing to that country's sinking below sea-level. Along the way he found time to continue working on numerous conventions at various levels, notably the music programme at the 2009 Eastercon LX, fulfilling a long-held dream to have a symphony orchestra at a con! He has also become more involved with the Hugo Awards and occasionally contributes comments and articles to fanzines.
He celebrated his 30th anniversary in fandom in 2008 at ConRunner 1 and Denvention 3. At that time he wrote: "I've attended 100+ cons in over a dozen countries across four continents; chaired several cons including two Worldcons; met many fabulously interesting people; worn a kilt in public more often than many consider decent; eaten strange and wonderful things; spent far too long on planes, in convention centres, and behind con desks, and not nearly long enough in the dealers' room; and basically had a lot of fun. So I look forward to another 30 years of activity in fandom, to meeting new people, and to enjoying SF in all its forms. Just one year after that, in 2039, I hope to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Worldcon, and invite those of you who can to join me there."
He remains an active con-runner, including several current Worldcons and bids, and is the 2010 Hugo Award administrator, although he considers he has largely 'hung up his kilt' in regard to chairing Worldcons!