The August Derleth Centenary

The Sauk Prairie (Wisconsin) Eagle reports that on February 2, Governor Jim Doyle signed a proclamation declaring February 24 August Derleth Day in honor of what would've been the prolific author's 100th birthday."We approached the Governor and asked if we could have this declared and he said absolutely," said Kay Price, Executive Secretary of the August Derleth Society. "It's quite an honor."Derleth was a friend of H. P. Lovecraft and it was Derleth who coined the term "Cthulhu Mythos" to describe the fictional universe described in the stories of Lovecraft and other writers in his circle. Derleth and Donald Wandrei founded Arkham House in 1937 to publish the works of Lovecraft. The first book, The Outsider and Others, was published in 1939 and Arkham House continues to print Lovecraft's and others works.

Another interesting note: on hearing that Arthur Conan Doyle had no plans to write more Holmes stories, the young Derleth wrote to Conan Doyle, asking permission to take over the job. Conan Doyle graciously declined the offer (and Solar Pons was born).

Happy birthday!

Links:
August Derleth Society