Description:
(American Weird-Fiction Writer Known for Creating the Mythopoeia 'Cthulhu Mythos')
H. P. Lovecraft was an American horror fiction writer, credited with starting a trend in fantasy and science fiction (sci-fi) writing. Mostly an autodidact, he never completed school education; he often stayed home due to fragile health, reading books far advanced for his age. Writing his first story at the age of six, he took up writing as his profession at the age of 24. As he was too shy to promote his work, he got little remuneration for his talent and most of his works were published in pulp magazines. All his life, he lived in poverty, often forced to take up ghost-writing to meet his expenses. It was only after his death that two of his friends, August Derleth and Donald Wandrei, collected his stories and made arrangement for their publication. If not for August and Donald, the world would have lost great pieces of writings which are now treasured in the world of literature. Lovecraft’s writings have had a great impact on modern popular culture. They have also influenced and inspired many other writers like August Derleth, Robert E. Howard, Robert Bloch, Fritz Leiber, Clive Barker, Stephen King, Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, and Mike Mignola.
Birthday
August 20, 1890 (Leo)
Born In
United States
Alternative names
Howard Phillips Lovecraft
City
Providence, Rhode Island
Died on
March 15, 1937
Spouse/Ex-
Sonia Haft Greene
Parents
Winfield Scott Lovecraft
Sarah Susan Phillips
What are some of H. P. Lovecraft's most famous works?
Some of H. P. Lovecraft's most famous works include "The Call of Cthulhu," "At the Mountains of Madness," "The Shadow over Innsmouth," "The Dunwich Horror," and "The Colour Out of Space."
What is the Cthulhu Mythos created by H. P. Lovecraft?
The Cthulhu Mythos is a fictional universe created by H. P. Lovecraft, revolving around ancient cosmic deities, eldritch horrors, and otherworldly beings, with the most famous entity being Cthulhu, a monstrous cosmic entity.
How did H. P. Lovecraft influence the horror genre?
H. P. Lovecraft's works have had a significant influence on the horror genre, particularly in the subgenre of cosmic horror. His themes of the insignificance of humanity in the face of cosmic entities and the unknown have inspired many other writers and creators in the genre.
What is the significance of Lovecraft's concept of "Great Old Ones?"
Lovecraft's "Great Old Ones" are ancient, powerful, and often malevolent cosmic entities that exist beyond the understanding of humanity. They represent a sense of cosmic horror and the insignificance of human existence in the vast universe, a recurring theme in Lovecraft's works.
How did Lovecraft's writing style contribute to his legacy in literature?
Lovecraft's unique writing style, characterized by elaborate descriptions, dense prose, and a sense of creeping dread, has made him a distinctive figure in literature. His ability to evoke a sense of cosmic horror and the unknown has solidified his legacy as a master of the genre.
