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Derleth, August (August Derleth)
When you think of horror literature, one name that stands out among the eerie shadows is August Derleth. While he is primarily known as the first publisher of H.P. Lovecraft's writings and his contributions to the cosmic horror genre, Derleth's talents extended far beyond the realms of the Cthulhu Mythos. Let's take a closer look at this fascinating author who left an indelible mark on the world of horror.
Derleth was a man of many talents and interests, venturing into various genres with remarkable success. Historical fiction, poetry, detective fiction, science fiction, and even biography were all part of his repertoire. His versatility knew no bounds, making him a true literary chameleon.
However, it was his association with H.P. Lovecraft that truly solidified his place in the annals of horror history. Derleth and Lovecraft shared a deep friendship and correspondence, with Lovecraft even paying homage to Derleth by mentioning "le Comte d'Erlette" in his fiction. In fact, Derleth coined the term "Cthulhu Mythos" to describe the interconnected fictional universe inhabited by Lovecraft and his contemporaries.
When Lovecraft passed away in 1937, Derleth, along with Donald Wandrei, embarked on a mission to preserve and publish Lovecraft's stories. Facing little interest from existing publishers, they took matters into their own hands and founded Arkham House in 1939. The name itself was derived from Lovecraft's fictional town of Arkham, Massachusetts, which featured prominently in many of his tales.
Arkham House's debut publication, "The Outsider and Others" (1939), was a monumental collection encompassing the majority of Lovecraft's known short stories. This marked the beginning of a regular publishing schedule for the nascent company. Soon after, in 1941, Derleth's own collection of horror stories, "Someone in the Dark," became Arkham House's second release.
Derleth's devotion to Lovecraft's legacy led him to write stories based on fragments and notes left behind by the master himself. These tales, published in Weird Tales and later in book form, bore the joint byline "H.P. Lovecraft and August Derleth," with Derleth considering himself a "posthumous collaborator." While some critics raised objections, accusing Derleth of using Lovecraft's name to promote his own fiction, others recognized the value of his contributions.
Debates aside, Derleth's founding of Arkham House and his tireless efforts to revive Lovecraft's literary reputation are widely celebrated within the horror community. His influence extended beyond the confines of Lovecraft's work, as he also viewed the Great Old Ones as representatives of elemental forces, crafting new entities to further enrich the mythos.
Derleth's impact on the genre cannot be overstated. His encouragement and guidance were instrumental in launching the careers of writers like Ramsey Campbell and Kirby McCauley. In fact, Arkham House even published the first book by a young Ray Bradbury, entitled "Dark Carnival." Brian Lumley, known for his Lovecraftian creations, credits Derleth as one of the finest editors and publishers of macabre fiction. You can search the Nest for articles on Derleth, August (August Derleth) over at https://www.SFcrowsnest.info/tag/August-Derleth
