Howard Phillips Lovecraft was born this day August 20, 1890 in Providence, Rhode Island.

H.P. Lovecraft is the most influential horror writer of the 20th century. Much of modern fantasy, horror and even Science Fiction can be traced directly to his stories, essays and letters.

He has influenced many writers including Stephen King, Robert Bloch and Fritz Leiber. Dozens of films have been made based on his stories. Many modern graphic novels, especially Batman, include Lovecraft themes.

Lovecraft was a strange man in many ways and is often condemned for the casual racism, sexism, and religious bigotry that appeared occasionally in his stories. I would suggest that he was a product of his times and environment. You should forgive these references when they pop up in his works. Being a recluse, he had a distorted view of the greater world and had little opportunity to learn he was mistaken.

Good quote from Lovecraft: My household consisted of seven servants and nine cats, of which latter species I am particularly fond.