August Derleth

American novelist, short story writer, poet, editor, and anthologist (1909–1971)

The first book publisher of H. P. Lovecraft's writings, August Derleth, played a critical role in formalizing the cosmic horror genre. A prolific American writer and anthologist from Sauk City, Wisconsin, he maintained a vast personal library while establishing Arkham House to bring supernatural fiction to a broader audience across the United States throughout the twentieth century.

Early Development and Education

Born in 1909 in Sauk City, Derleth began writing fiction at age thirteen. He pursued his education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earning a B.A. in 1930. During his university years, he gained professional experience as an associate editor for Mystic Magazine. His early literary influences included Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Walt Whitman, whose focus on nature and regional life shaped his own expansive literary goals.

THE FREE TEST

How high is yours?

Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.

Take the IQ test →

The Sac Prairie Saga

Derleth considered his most significant contribution to be the Sac Prairie Saga, an ambitious collection of historical fiction, poetry, and naturalist writings designed to memorialize his native Wisconsin. This work earned him a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1938, supported by Sinclair Lewis and Edgar Lee Masters.

Arkham House and Genre Contribution

In 1939, Derleth and Donald Wandrei founded Arkham House. The publishing firm focused primarily on distributing H. P. Lovecraft’s works in hardcover, alongside other supernatural fiction from the United Kingdom. Beyond his horror contributions, Derleth authored a detective series featuring Solar Pons, a pastiche of Sherlock Holmes. He also served as the literary editor of The Capital Times in Madison from 1941 to 1960.

Legacy and Death

Throughout his career, Derleth produced over 100 books and 150 short stories. He remained deeply involved in his local community, holding roles on the school board and working as a parole officer. After his death from a heart attack in 1971 in Sauk City, his work continued to receive recognition, including a 2020 Retro Hugo Award for Best Series. He is buried in St. Aloysius Cemetery.