Ridiculous History: "HP Lovecraft Was A Super Weird Dude, Part One: Childhood Tragedy"

Release Date: May 20, 2025
Host: Ben Bullen
Guest: Jonathan Strickland (AKA the Quister)

Introduction to the Episode

In this compelling episode of Ridiculous History, hosts Ben Bullen and Jonathan Strickland delve into the tumultuous early life of Howard Phillips Lovecraft, one of modern horror fiction's most influential yet controversial figures. The discussion provides a nuanced exploration of Lovecraft's childhood tragedies, familial influences, and the seeds of his later literary genius.

Early Life and Family Background

Ben Bullen opens the conversation by setting the stage for Lovecraft's upbringing:

"HP Lovecraft, Howard Phillips Lovecraft. He is born on August 20, 1890, at his family's house. It's a really nice Victorian home in Providence, Rhode Island." [12:00]

Lovecraft's mother, Sarah Susan Phillips Lovecraft, hailed from a lineage tracing back to early American settlers, instilling in him a deep-seated obsession with history and lineage. His father, Winfield Scott Lovecraft, was a traveling silversmith salesman—an occupation that, while respectable, often kept him away from the family.

Jonathan Strickland adds depth to this background, highlighting the psychological impact of Lovecraft's familial environment:

"The concept of lineage and ancestry and that importance ... instilling within Lovecraft this idea not just of the importance of lineage, but also a sense of entitlement." [13:25]

This sense of entitlement, coupled with the family's eventual financial decline, significantly shaped Lovecraft's worldview and literary themes.

Childhood Tragedies and Psychological Struggles

A pivotal moment in Lovecraft's early life was the loss of his father. Ben Bullen recounts:

"His father remains there convalescing or deteriorating for five years before he dies on July 19 and 1898." [16:59]

Initially reported as a nervous breakdown, later research revealed that Lovecraft's father succumbed to syphilis. This revelation underscores the underlying health and psychological struggles that permeated Lovecraft's family life.

Jonathan Strickland connects these early experiences to Lovecraft's later xenophobic and racist tendencies:

"Lovecraft was xenophobic and racist, but we're going to talk more about his life and the sort of things that informed his experience and perhaps shaped his worldview." [10:16]

The duo emphasizes that while Lovecraft's personal tragedies and mental health issues do not excuse his reprehensible views, understanding them provides a clearer picture of the man behind the mythos.

Influence of Family and Early Education

During his formative years, Lovecraft was primarily raised by his mother, two aunts, and his grandmother. The strict and isolated upbringing contributed to his introverted nature. Ben Bullen observes:

"He is often, as a result, not attending school. He's a very, very intelligent person." [36:50]

Despite his limited formal education due to his nervous breakdown, Lovecraft's intrinsic curiosity drove him to self-educate. He immersed himself in subjects like chemistry and astronomy, producing scientific journals he distributed among friends—an early indicator of his prolific writing tendencies.

Early Literary Endeavors and Influences

Lovecraft's literary journey began with poetry and essays, some of which contained overtly racist themes. Jonathan Strickland notes:

"He wrote some terribly racist poetry. His first loves, indeed were essays and poetry before he got into fiction." [15:25]

A significant turning point came in 1906 when Lovecraft’s first known work was published in the Providence Sunday Journal. This achievement marked the beginning of his serious foray into writing, despite the personal and familial challenges he faced.

The episode underscores that Lovecraft was not the sole progenitor of "weird fiction." Jonathan Strickland clarifies:

"Weird fiction was already something that was being explored by authors before Lovecraft was even born." [28:17]

This historical context situates Lovecraft within a broader literary movement, acknowledging his contemporaries and predecessors who also contributed to the genre.

Tragic Financial Decline and Social Isolation

The Lovecraft family's financial downfall was swift and devastating. Ben Bullen explains:

"They went broke. They got into severe financial difficulties such that Lovecraft and his mom have to move out of their posh Victorian home. This is devastating." [44:02]

This economic hardship forced Lovecraft into a hermit-like existence, retreating further into self-imposed solitude. His mother's inability to cope with their changed circumstances fostered an unhealthy and codependent relationship, exacerbating Lovecraft's mental health issues.

Jonathan Strickland adds:

"He's a sickly child ... these illnesses are not strictly or not only of the physical variety." [35:19]

This combination of physical ailments and psychological strains created a perfect storm that influenced Lovecraft's later works, characterized by themes of isolation, madness, and cosmic insignificance.

The Catalyst: Lovecraft's Feud with Fred Jackson

A defining moment that catapulted Lovecraft into literary prominence was his vehement critique of Fred Jackson’s love stories. Ben Bullen recounts:

"This is a beef. And this beef launches Lovecraft's career." [53:23]

Lovecraft's scathing, poetic rebuttals to Jackson's writing in the Argosy magazine drew widespread attention, marking his entry into the public literary sphere. This episode highlights how personal vendettas and intellectual battles shaped Lovecraft's path as an author.

Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

As the episode wraps up, Ben Bullen and Jonathan Strickland reflect on the intertwined nature of Lovecraft's personal tragedies and his literary output. They hint at delving deeper into Lovecraft's later life, his creation of the Cthulhu Mythos, and his enduring influence on modern horror in the forthcoming second part of the series.

"So, tune in later this week when we follow up with part two of HP Lovecraft being so just so very weird." [58:54]

Notable Quotes

• Jonathan Strickland on cosmic horror:

  "The idea being that whatever the narrating protagonist has seen is so beyond human experience and perception that to attempt to contemplate it is to invite madness." [08:11]

• Ben Bullen on self-directed learning:

  "I think it's good for the structure. I think you're on the money." [17:15]

• Jonathan Strickland on Lovecraft's social isolation:

  "He's a sickly child ... these illnesses are not strictly or not only of the physical variety." [35:19]

Key Takeaways

• Early Tragedies: Lovecraft's childhood was marred by the loss of his father, financial decline, and an unhealthy relationship with his mother, all of which profoundly impacted his mental health and worldview.

• Literary Beginnings: Despite significant personal challenges, Lovecraft pursued writing relentlessly, starting with poetry and essays before venturing into fiction.

• Weird Fiction Context: Lovecraft was part of a broader movement of "weird fiction," building upon the works of earlier authors and contributing his unique, cosmic horror elements.

• Catalyst for Fame: His public feud with Fred Jackson through scathing poetry in Argosy served as a pivotal moment in establishing his literary career.

This episode of Ridiculous History masterfully intertwines biographical details with literary analysis, offering listeners a thorough understanding of the early forces that shaped H.P. Lovecraft into the enigmatic figure he remains today.