The creative output of Robert E. Howard, active in the early twentieth century, established the foundational architecture of the sword and sorcery literary subgenre. Born in 1906, the American writer spent the majority of his professional life in Cross Plains, Texas, producing a diverse array of pulp fiction, poetry, and narratives that transcended traditional genre boundaries of the era.
Formative Years in Texas
Born in Peaster, Texas, Howard experienced a childhood defined by frequent relocation as his father, Dr. Isaac Mordecai Howard, moved between various boomtowns. His mother, Hester Jane Ervin Howard, played a significant role in his early intellectual development, fostering a deep appreciation for literature and poetry. The transition to Cross Plains in 1919 marked a period of relative stability, although Howard remained deeply critical of the local oil boom and the rapid social changes it brought to the region.
Literary Development and Education
Howard attended Brownwood High School and later Howard Payne University. During his time in Brownwood, he established meaningful connections with peers such as Tevis Clyde Smith and Truett Vinson, who shared his literary ambitions. These early experiences in local publications like The Tattler provided a platform for his first successes. As a self-taught author, Howard meticulously studied market trends, submitting his work to various pulp magazines to refine his prose and narrative structure.
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Take the IQ test →Contribution to Fantasy Literature
Working primarily from Cross Plains, Howard found his most significant outlet in the magazine Weird Tales. It was here that he introduced Conan the Barbarian, a character who became the cornerstone of his legacy. His bibliography includes notable works such as The Hour of the Dragon, Pigeons from Hell, Worms of the Earth, and Kings of the Night. His narratives often reflected a hardboiled perspective, influenced by his intense interest in boxing and history.
Conclusion of a Career
Howard maintained a prolific output as a short story writer, novelist, and poet until his death in 1936 at the age of 30. He died by suicide in Cross Plains during a period of personal distress regarding his mother’s health. While his stories were never collected into books during his lifetime, his influence on the fantasy field grew substantially thereafter, eventually establishing him as a central figure in American pulp fiction.
Fast facts
- Born: 1906, Peaster, Texas
- Died: 1936, Cross Plains, Texas
- Citizenship: United States
- Notable works: The Hour of the Dragon, Pigeons from Hell
- Primary genre: Fantasy
- Burial site: Greenleaf Cemetery
- Education: Brownwood High School, Howard Payne University
Questions readers ask
What is Robert E. Howard’s primary contribution to literature?
He is credited as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre and the creator of the character Conan the Barbarian.
Where did Howard spend most of his life?
He spent most of his life in Cross Plains, Texas, after moving there in 1919.
Were Howard's stories collected during his life?
No, his writings were not collected into books until after his death in 1936.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Hour of the Dragon
- Notable work: Worms of the Earth
- Notable work: Pigeons from Hell
- Notable work: Kings of the Night
