H. P. Lovecraft

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(August 20, 1890 – March 15, 1937)

Howard Phillips Lovecraft, an influential American fan and pro, spent most of his life in Providence, RI where he wrote weird fiction. He was one of the most significant writers in the sf and fantasy genre. Beginning with his first published story in 1919, he wrote what he called "cosmic horror," the idea that the universe is essentially unknowable and inimical to humans.

Most of his stories fit into the Cthulhu Mythos, which was awarded the 1945 Best Series Retro Hugo during CoNZealand in 2020. Arkham House was founded to bring his works back into print. I Am Providence is the definitive biography by S. T. Joshi (2 vols).

While HPL's reputation rests on his professional work, he was equally influential as a fan, maintaining a huge correspondence as well as publishing in fanzines. He was active in Amateur Journalism, and helped to bring the APA into fandom. He was a member of the National Amateur Press Association (NAPA) and the United Amateur Press Association (UAPA).

In his voluminous letters and essays, Lovecraft frequently expressed reprehensible opinions of Jews, Blacks, Catholics and immigrants. These sentiments crept into some of his fiction, as well.

The original World Fantasy Award trophy statuette designed by artist Gahan Wilson and was a bust of Lovecraft first presented at the 1st World Fantasy Convention in 1975. The use of this statuette was discontinued by the World Fantasy Awards committee in 2017 because of Lovecraft’s racism, reasons which many have found controversial.

Fanzines devoted to Lovecraft include:

Entry in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.

Awards, Honors and GoHships:



Person 18901937
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