Writer Gordon R. Dickson created the Dorsai as an archetypal force in future society, a warrior elite to balance political and religious elites on settled planets known as the Worlds of Man. He willingly lent the Irregulars the Dorsai name and persona, and in return the DI keep the ideas of his novels, particularly The Tactics of Mistake, in the eye of fandom. Gordy passed away in 2001.

Link here to a Dickson biography and bibliography.

Artist and illustrator Frank Kelly Freas illustrated the work of just about any SF author you could name. He had been nominated for the Hugo Award an unprecedented 24 times, receiving 10 and 1 'Retro Hugo'. The theft of one of his illustrations from the 1973 Worldcon was the precipitating event for forming the DI. Kelly had been friendly to the DI ever since, even designing our flag with its mercenary dollar sign.

Gremlins do so exist!

Kelly passed away in 2005.

Link here to a Freas biography and list of credits.

Writer Bob Asprin was really creative even before his adventures with the DI. While a young member of SCA he shook up the mid-Michigan chapter by showing up at a medieval tournament day as a representative of the Mongol Horde. He switched focus from past to future, creating the Irregulars and bringing many of his SCA acquaintances into the group.

Along the way he held what was arguably the first public filksing at a convention (the hotel lobby at Discon 2 in 1974) and originated the "shared-world novel" concept with the Thieves' World series. Now he writes pun-filled novels including the Myth Adventures and Phule's World books. He lives in Louisiana.

Link here to an Asprin biography, bibliography and even a newsgroup.

Writer Robert A. Heinlein, "the Dean of Science Fiction", met the Irregulars at MidAmericon, the 1976 Worldcon, when he and his wife Virginia were extricated from the centre of a growing press of admirers by some Dorsai who had just come off Art Show duty. The grateful Heinleins requested and received a Dorsai escort for the balance of the con.

A few years of conventions, correspondence and social gatherings later, while visiting a Dorsai Household after a local convention appearance, the Heinleins were asked to join the Irregulars ~ which they did. Robert passed away in 1988; Virginia in 2003.

Link here to a Heinlein biography, bibliography and even a newsgroup.