Harry Houdini commissioned Lovecraft? I didn't know...

[Desiremakesmeweak]

I didn't know that.

But evidently, the great magician Harry Houdini commissioned essays from the KALEM Club members, in particular HP Lovecraft and CM Eddy, dealing with critically investigating superstitions and how they have negatively impacted human society. Houdini believed that whilst Lovecraft was extremely knowledgeable on matters of the occult and religious and supernatural beliefs, he was also a dedicated skeptic like himself.

But in the year that the essays were reaching their finalization by the writers, Houdini died. And the works remained as unpublished manuscripts eventually released by the Estate of Beatrice Lovecraft.

 

[Bramblethorn]

HPL also ghost-wrote a short story "Imprisoned with the Pharaohs" for Houdini; by my understanding that was the start of their collaboration.

He ghost-wrote for several people, but Houdini seems to have been better than some clients about paying for the work!

 

[jellogrl]

I didn't know that.

But evidently, the great magician Harry Houdini commissioned essays from the KALEM Club members, in particular HP Lovecraft and CM Eddy, dealing with critically investigating superstitions and how they have negatively impacted human society. Houdini believed that whilst Lovecraft was extremely knowledgeable on matters of the occult and religious and supernatural beliefs, he was also a dedicated skeptic like himself.

But in the year that the essays were reaching their finalization by the writers, Houdini died. And the works remained as unpublished manuscripts eventually released by the Estate of Beatrice Lovecraft.

I didn't know that either. H.P. is one of my favorites.

 

[Desiremakesmeweak]

If there was ever a person who had somehow managed to slip forward and then back through time, this is the one.

I am personally not attracted to the bizarre, nightmarish imagery he regularly employs. But there's more to him than one is able to see just from his wild entertainments alone. I think.