For horror fans, the initials HPL bring an instant chill to the spine. The man’s work hardly needs introduction. His Cthulhu mythos and its denizens have appeared in and influenced the entire artistic spectrum, from film and television, to poetry, dramatic productions, plush toys and even an excellent series of tiki mugs. An argument could be made that Lovecraft is to the macabre and strange what Shelley is to epistolary horror and Shakespeare is to modern romantic comedy.

The man himself, well, that’s more complicated. It would be easy to dismiss Lovecraft’s neuroses and prejudices as products of his time, but that’s an argument that, if you’ll pardon the pun, doesn’t hold water. It’s difficult to find something new to say about a man whose short life has been subject to as much study as his work, so instead I’ll direct you to my favorite source for all things HPL – the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society. And while you’re there, check out their EXCELLENT radio dramas.