Howard Phillips Lovecraft was a 19th century writer of psychological horror and the chief creator of the concept of cosmicism. He lived his life in constant paranoia, disdain of his neighbors, familial issues, and medical problems inherent in his family, translating many of his deepest fears and thoughts into his writing.

H.P Lovecraft went on to be one of the most prolific and inspiring writers of the horror genre with many other story tellers taking tropes and plot lines from his ideas of cosmology. This is the idea that humanity’s place in the universe is insignificant in the great scheme of things. From cosmic monsters to locations that cause insanity, the world of Lovecraft developed into a modern mythology of gods and monsters.

Life & Death of H.P. Lovecraft

H.P Lovecraft was born in Providence, Rhode Island in the year 1890. He spent most of his life sheltered under the watchful eye of his mother after his father was committed for mental conditions, a circumstance that plagued his family throughout his life. As such, young Lovecraft was secluded for most of his youth until he found an outlet through writing in 1913.

From there he found a small yet dedicated audience of friends, peers, and relatives that followed and inspired his works and discussions. After moving to New York in 1924, he moved back to Providence two years later where he worked on what would be his eternal legacy, the Cthulhu mythos starting with Call of Cthulhu. He continued to write these works and expand on the world he created until his untimely death in 1937.

The Twisted Thoughts & Fears of H.P. Lovecraft

Lovecraft has been a witness to the afflictions of human beings at a young age. Both his parents were institutionalized in a time when mental illness was shamed, leading to his sheltered upbringing and irrational fears. Along with difficulties bonding with family and other people in his life, Lovecraft has been plagued with personal tragedies that affected his writing and views on life.

Lovecraft was curious about astronomy at a young age and through his personal studies felt that humanity was a tiny part of the cosmos. His perception led to the creation of cosmicism which became a recurring theme to his horror stories. Lovecraft’s stories reflected his fears and thoughts, from people discovering ancient knowledge and evil god-like beings to prejudices he had that manifested as creatures and characters.