Derleth, August, 1909-1971

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August William Derleth, 1909-1971, was an author. Although Derleth's literary strengths are exemplified in his nostalgic writings about the Midwestern prairies, he is best remembered for his "weird" fiction, fantasy, and science fiction works.

From the guide to the Derleth mss., 1958-1965, (Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington) http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly)

American author.

From the description of Typed letters signed (108) : Sauk City, Wis., to Edward Wagenknecht, 1945-1971. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270868052

From the description of Papers, ca. 1958-1965. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 49521127

Author and poet.

From the description of Letters, 1942-1971. (University of Iowa Libraries). WorldCat record id: 233125240

August Derleth's career started at age 15 with the sale of a story to Weird Tales. He was a prolific and varied writer. During his career he published over 100 novels, short stories, poetry volumes, biographies, histories, articles and essays. He wrote historical fiction novels as well as poetry, juvenile fiction, mysteries and science fiction/fantasy tales. Derleth himself was an avid reader; his personal library numbered approximately 12,000 volumes. He was also a nature enthusiast; his love for nature is apparent in many of his works. Derleth collected American commemorative stamps and comics; he reputedly had the world's largest collection of comics.

August Derleth began Arkham House Publishing to publish the works of H. P. Lovecraft. Ironically, the two never met. While Derleth was young, he and Lovecraft began corresponding with one another. They typically exchanged letters several times a month until Lovecraft's death.

February 2, 1904: born in Sauk City, WI to William Julius and Rose Louise Derleth 1930: University of Wisconsin, B.A. 1930-1931: associate editor, Fawcett Publications, Milwaukee 1931-1971: free-lance write 1934-1943: contributing editor, Outdoors Magazine 1937-1943: served as director, Sauk City Board of Education 1938: winner of Guggenheim Fellowship (sponsored by Sinclair Lewis, Edgar Lee Masters and Helen Constance White) 1939-1943: special lecturer in American Regional Literature at the University of Wisconsin 1939-1971: publisher, Arkham House 1941-1971: literary editor and weekly columnist (1961-71) for the Capital Times 1953: married Sandra Evelyn Winters (two children, April Rose and Walden William) 1958: 1st prize winner in Scholastic Magazine's short story contest for The Tail of the Dog 1959:divorced from Sandra Evelyn Winters Derleth 1966: winner, Governor's Award. for distinguished service to the creative arts for Return to Walden West July 4, 1971: died

From the guide to the Inventory of the Arkham House Collection: SCI FI MSS 00229., 1930-1953, (Cushing Memorial Library)

Archival Resources
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referencedIn Wandrei, Donald, 1908-. Donald Wandrei and family papers, 1862-1988 (bulk 1927-1988). Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Frederic Dannay Papers, ca.1920-1982. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
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referencedIn Gale, Zona, 1874-1938. Papers, 1838-1970. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn McMillin, Miles J., 1913-1982. Papers, 1938-1959. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Lankes, Julius John. Papers, 1954-1956 [microform]. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Sullivan, Richard, 1908-1981. Catholic Authors manuscript collection, [1940-1954]. University of Notre Dame, Hesburgh Library
referencedIn Esch, John J. Papers, 1891-1922, 1992-1994. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Bayley, Ray, interveiwer. Ray Bayley Interview with Lillian E. Diederich, 2004. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Boucher, Anthony, 1911-1968. Papers, 1932-1969 Indiana University
creatorOf Larsson, Raymond Ellsworth, 1901-. Papers, 1942-1982. University of Notre Dame, Hesburgh Library
referencedIn Masters-Davis collection, 1928, 1930-1977, 1936-1944 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Manuscript (periodical) Records, 1933-1937 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971. August William Derleth papers, 1858, 1907-1978. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Larsson, Raymond Ellsworth, 1901-. Papers, 1934-1939. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Kieckhefer, Patricia. Essays, undated. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Masters, Edgar Lee, 1868-1950. Masters-Davis collection, 1928, 1930-1977, bulk (1936-1944). New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971. Typed letters signed (108) : Sauk City, Wis., to Edward Wagenknecht, 1945-1971. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Lewis, Sinclair, 1885-1951. From an address / by Sinclair Lewis ; delivered before the Annual Convention of the Wisconsin Education Association in Milwaukee, November 5, 1937. Colorado State University, Morgan Library
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971,. Weber interview, 1964. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn White mss., 1932-1969 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
referencedIn Donald Wandrei and family papers., 1862-1988 (bulk 1927-1988). Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Carpenter, Margaret Haley. Papers of Margaret Haley Carpenter [manuscript], 1898-1985, bulk 1953-1985. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971. The adventure of the Viennese musician / by August W. Derleth. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Gordon Armstrong Collection. The Tsantsa in the parlor / by August Derleth ; adapted by Gordon Armstrong. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971. Papers, ca. 1958-1965. Indiana University
referencedIn August Derleth Collection, 1950-1995 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Inventory of the Arkham House Collection: SCI FI MSS 00229., 1930-1953 Cushing Memorial Library,
creatorOf Carter, Lin. Letters 1956-1978. Indiana University
creatorOf Corey, Paul, 1903-. Papers of Paul Corey, 1920-1992. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn E. Hoffmann Price papers, undated University of Minnesota Libraries. Literary Manuscripts Collection, Manuscripts Division. [mss]
referencedIn August Derleth dinner [videorecording] / [production company unknown] Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Benton, William, 1900-1973. Papers, 1951-1961. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971. Correspondence with Carl Zigrosser, 1939-1944. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Bassett, Norman, 1891- . Papers, 1932-1956. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Kelm, Karlton. Papers of Karlton and William Kelm, 1928-1986. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn Boudreau, Richard. Papers, [manuscript] 1974-1990. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Murphy Library
creatorOf Cabell, James Branch, 1879-1958. Correspondence of various contributors to the editors of this Washington and Lee University Literary magazine [manuscript] 1950-60. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Barton, Albert O. (Albert Olaus). Albert O. Barton papers, 1858-1948. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Auer, James M., 1928- . Papers, 1949-1973. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Meacham, Harry M. (Harry Monroe), 1901-1975. Harry M. Meacham papers [manuscript] , 1900-75. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Drury, John, 1898-. John Drury-Marion Neville papers, 1860-1970. Newberry Library
referencedIn Evjue, William Theodore, 1882-1970. Papers, ca. 1880-1969. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Aaron Bohrod Papers, 1932-1963 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Derleth mss., 1958-1965 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
referencedIn Dannay, Frederic, 1905-1982. Papers, ca.1920-1982. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Howard Phillips Lovecraft correspondence, 1934-1968, (bulk 1934-1936) University of Minnesota Libraries. Literary Manuscripts Collection, Manuscripts Division. [mss]
referencedIn Galpin, Alfred Maurice, 1901-1983. Alfred Galpin family papers, 1861-1966. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Mabbott, Thomas Ollive, 1898-1968. Papers of Thomas O. Mabbott, 1918-1979. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn Piskor, Frank Peter,. The Frank P. Piskor Collection of Robert Frost : 1874-[ongoing], (bulk 1916-1970) St. Lawrence University, Owen D. Young Library
referencedIn New Directions Publishing records Houghton Library
referencedIn Jesse Stuart papers, 1941-1943. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky Guide Project Office
referencedIn Fantasy Magazine papers, 1929-1979 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Jean Toomer papers, 1898-1963 (inclusive), 1920-1954 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Jean Burden Papers, 1931-1992 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn August Derleth Society. Records, 1981-1991. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Donald A. Wollheim papers, 1933-2007 University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Department of Special Collections
creatorOf Smith, Clark Ashton, 1893-1961. Papers, 1910-1972. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
creatorOf Carter, Thomas H. (Thomas Henry), 1931-1963. Correspondence, 1950-1962. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971. Letters, 1942-1971. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn Abraham S. Burack collection Boston University. School of Medicine
referencedIn Ciardi, John, 1916-1986. Letters, 1952-1955, to J. Vernon Shea, Jr. University of Michigan
referencedIn Mueller, Dorothy Littel. Papers, 1996-1997. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Coleman, Carroll. Papers of Carroll Coleman, 1927-1985. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn Manuscripts and proofs of New Directions books, 1937-1997. Houghton Library
referencedIn Powers, Jessica. Papers, 1924-1994. Marquette University Raynor Memorial Library, John P. Raynor Library
creatorOf Atkinson, Brooks, 1894-1984,. Saturday review book review letters received, 1958-1967 (bulk 1960-1962). Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Lorenz, William F., 1882-1958. Papers, 1914-1953. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971. Letters, 1964-1970, Sauk City Wis., to Neil Barron, Jamaica, N.Y. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Argus Book Shop correspondence, 1857-1955, 1930-1944 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971,. Kearl interview [sound recording], 1960. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Engel, Harold A., 1903- . Papers, 1922-1968. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf [August William Derleth, biographical materials] University of Wisconsin - Madison, General Library System
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971. [Articles by and about August Derleth.] University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, Murphy Library
referencedIn Harold Matson Company, Inc. (New York, N.Y.). Harold Matson Company, Inc. Records, 1937-1980. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Lovecraft, H. P. (Howard Phillips), 1890-1937. Howard Phillips Lovecraft correspondence, 1934-1968 (bulk 1934-1936). University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
creatorOf Dwiggins, Clare Victor,. Cartoon drawings, ca. 1905-1945. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Ethnic History of Wisconsin Project recordings, 1955. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn August Derleth presentation [videorecording] / [production company unknown] Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971. Correspondence with Theodore Dreiser, 1922-1938. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971,. Hutter interview, 1964. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Derleth, August William, 1909-1971,. August William Derleth comic collection, circa 1846-1971 (bulk 1900-1971). Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Baker Street Irregulars (Organization : U.S.) archive, 1923-2007. Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Abbe, George, 1911- person
associatedWith Anderson, Carl T. person
associatedWith Anderson, Sherwood, 1876-1941. person
associatedWith Argus Book Shop (Chicago, Ill.) corporateBody
associatedWith Arkham House corporateBody
associatedWith Asbury, Herbert, 1891-1963. person
associatedWith Asimov, Isaac, 1920-1992. person
associatedWith Asquith, Cynthia, Lady, 1887-1960 person
associatedWith Auer, James M., 1928- . person
associatedWith August Derleth Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Baker, Ray Stannard, 1870-1946. person
correspondedWith Baker Street Irregulars (Organization : U.S.). corporateBody
associatedWith Baldwin, Faith, 1893-1978. person
associatedWith Barron, Neil, 1934- person
associatedWith Barton, Albert O. (Albert Olaus) person
associatedWith Bassett, Norman, 1891- . person
associatedWith Bayley, Ray, interveiwer. person
associatedWith Benét, Stephen Vincent, 1898-1943. person
associatedWith Benét, William Rose, 1886-1950. person
associatedWith Benton, William, 1900-1973. person
associatedWith Beston, Henry S., 1888-1968. person
associatedWith Bishop, Zealia B. (Zealia Brown) person
associatedWith Blackwood, Algernon, 1869-1951 person
associatedWith Bloch, Robert. person
associatedWith Block, Robert person
associatedWith Bohrod, Aaron. person
associatedWith Boucher, Anthony, 1911-1968. person
associatedWith Boudreau, Richard. person
associatedWith Bradbury, Ray. person
associatedWith Brennan, Joseph Payne, 1918-1990. person
correspondedWith Burack, A. S. (Abraham Saul), 1908- person
associatedWith Burden, Jean. person
associatedWith Bynner, Witter, 1881-1968. person
associatedWith Carpenter, Margaret Haley. person
associatedWith Carter, Lin. person
associatedWith Carter, Thomas H. (Thomas Henry), 1931-1963. person
associatedWith Ciardi, John, 1916-1986. person
associatedWith Clemens, Cyril, 1902- , person
associatedWith Clyne, Ronald person
associatedWith Clyne, Ronald. person
associatedWith Colehour, Samuel Phillip. person
associatedWith Coleman, Carroll. person
associatedWith Coppard, A. E. (Alfred Edgar), 1878-1957 person
associatedWith Corey, Paul, 1903- person
associatedWith Daly, Maureen, 1921-2006. person
associatedWith Dannay, Frederic, 1905-1982. person
associatedWith Dannay, Frederick, 1905- person
associatedWith De la Mare, Walter. person
associatedWith Devoe, Alan, 1909-1955. person
associatedWith Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 person
associatedWith Drake, Leah Bodine, 1904-1964 person
associatedWith Drury, John, 1898- person
associatedWith Dunsay, Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett, Baron, 1878-1957. person
associatedWith Dwiggins, Claire Victor. person
associatedWith Dwiggins, Clare Victor, person
associatedWith Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969. person
associatedWith Engel, Harold A., 1903- . person
associatedWith Esch, John J. person
associatedWith Evjue, William Theodore, 1882-1970. person
associatedWith Fantasy Magazine. corporateBody
associatedWith Fantasy Magazine. corporateBody
associatedWith Farrell, James T. (James Thomas), 1904-1979. person
associatedWith Ferber, Edna, 1887-1968. person
associatedWith Frederick, John T. (John Towner), 1893-1975. person
associatedWith Gág, Wanda, 1893-1946. person
associatedWith Gale, Zona, 1874-1938. person
associatedWith Galpin, Alfred Maurice, 1901-1983. person
associatedWith Gamwell, Annie E. Phillips person
associatedWith Garland, Hamlin, 1860-1940. person
associatedWith Gordon Armstrong Collection. corporateBody
associatedWith Gray, James, 1899- person
associatedWith Hardy, Thomas, 1840-1928. person
associatedWith Harold Matson Company, Inc. (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Hergesheimer, Joseph, 1880-1954. person
associatedWith Hodgson, William Hope, 1875-1918 person
associatedWith Holand, Hjalmar Rued, 1872-1963. person
associatedWith Howard, R. E. person
associatedWith Hurst, Fannie, 1889-1968. person
associatedWith Hutter, Gary J., person
associatedWith Jacobi, Carl, 1908- person
associatedWith Jacobi, Carl R. person
associatedWith Kearl, Susy, person
associatedWith Kelm, Karlton. person
associatedWith Kieckhefer, Patricia. person
associatedWith Kirchstein, Jim. person
associatedWith LaBudde, Margaret. person
associatedWith La Follette, Belle Case, 1859-1931. person
associatedWith La Follette, Fola, 1882-1970. person
associatedWith La Follette, Philip Fox, 1897-1965. person
associatedWith La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 1895-1953. person
associatedWith Lankes, Julius John. person
associatedWith Larsson, Raymond Ellsworth, 1901-. person
associatedWith Leiber, Fritz, 1910-1992. person
associatedWith Leopold, Aldo, 1886-1948. person
associatedWith Lewis, Sinclair, 1885-1951 person
associatedWith Lorenz, William F., 1882-1958. person
associatedWith Lovecraft, H. P. (Howard Phillips), 1890-1937 person
associatedWith Lumley, Brian. person
associatedWith Mabbott, Thomas Ollive, person
associatedWith Mabbott, Thomas Ollive, 1898-1968. person
associatedWith Machen, Arthur, 1863-1947 person
associatedWith Mann, Thomas, 1875-1955. person
associatedWith Manuscript (Athens, Ohio) corporateBody
associatedWith Masters, Edgar Lee, 1868-1950. person
associatedWith McMillin, Miles J., 1913-1982. person
associatedWith Meacham, Harry M. (Harry Monroe), 1901-1975. person
associatedWith Mencken, H. L. (Henry Louis), 1880-1956. person
associatedWith Meudt, Edna. person
associatedWith Mueller, Dorothy Littel. person
associatedWith New Directions Publishing Corp. corporateBody
associatedWith North, Henry Ringling, 1909- person
associatedWith North, Sterling, 1906-1974. person
associatedWith Otto, Max Carl, 1876- person
associatedWith Palmer, Stuart, 1905-1968. person
associatedWith Peattie, Donald Culross, 1898-1964. person
associatedWith Phelps, William Lyon, 1865-1943. person
associatedWith Pierpont Morgan Library. Wagenknecht Collection. corporateBody
associatedWith Piskor, Frank Peter, person
associatedWith Powers, Jessica. person
associatedWith Price, E. Hoffmann person
associatedWith Price, E. Hoffmann. person
associatedWith Quinn, Seabury, 1889-1969. person
associatedWith Reigelman, Milton Monroe, 1942- , person
associatedWith Sandburg, Carl, 1878-1967. person
associatedWith Sandoz, Mari, 1896-1966. person
associatedWith Schorer, Mark, 1908-1977. person
associatedWith Schroyer, Frederick. person
associatedWith Shea, J. Vernon, 1912- person
associatedWith Sheppard, Sam. person
associatedWith Shiel, M. P. (Matthew Phipps), 1865-1947 person
associatedWith Sidney-Fryer, Donald, 1934- person
associatedWith Smith, Clark Ashton, 1893-1961 person
associatedWith Starrett, Vincent, 1886-1974. person
associatedWith Stefanile, Felix, 1920- person
associatedWith Stiver, Mary Weeden. person
associatedWith Stuart, Jesse, 1906- person
associatedWith Taft, Robert. person
associatedWith Taylor, Richard. person
associatedWith Toomer, Jean, 1894-1967. person
associatedWith Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972. person
associatedWith Utpatel, Frank person
associatedWith Vierack, Peter. person
associatedWith Wagenknecht, Edward, 1900-2004, person
associatedWith Wakefield, Russel person
associatedWith Wandrei, Donald, 1908- person
associatedWith Wandrei, Howard, 1909- person
associatedWith Weaver, Inez. person
associatedWith Weaver, Warren, 1894-1978. person
associatedWith Weber, Laurence, person
associatedWith Weissenborn, Leo J., 1877-1967. person
associatedWith Whitehead, Henry S. (Henry St. Clair), 1882-1932 person
associatedWith White, Helen Constance, 1896-1967. person
associatedWith Wilson, Colin, 1931- person
associatedWith Winters, Sandy (Sandra) person
associatedWith Wollheim, Donald A. person
associatedWith Wood, Grant, 1891-1942. person
associatedWith Wright, Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959. person
associatedWith Wright, S. Fowler (Sydney Fowler), 1874-1965 person
associatedWith Zabriskie, George A. (George Albert), 1868-1954. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Wisconsin
Sauk City (Wis.)
United States
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Subject
Publishers and publishing
Authors, American
American wit and humor, Pictorial
Caricatures and cartoons
Comic books, strips, etc.
Detective and mystery stories, American
Fantasy fiction
Horror fiction
Nature in literature
Poetry
Pons, Solar (Fictitious character)
Science fiction
Wisconsin in literature
Occupation
Collector
Activity

Person

Birth 1909-02-24

Death 1971-07-04

Male

Americans

Italian,

German,

English,

Spanish; Castilian,

French

Information

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Ark ID: w6m3368n

SNAC ID: 44821541