Cthulhu Files

Cthulhu Universalis

A guide to books, gods, races, places, and people in works by first-generation Cthulhu Mythos authors. This work is gradually being converted from an index into something more like an encyclopedia, with articles rather than just index entries.

Recently updated articles include: Yhoundeh, Wendigo, Warder of Knowledge, Vorvadoss, Viracocha, Unknown God of the Dead, Typhon, Tsathoggua, Tloquenahuaque, Tirawa, Thoth, Terror of Cut-Throat Cove, Terrible Nameless One, Taranit, Tanit, Tangaroa, Zo-Kalar, Tamash, and Lobon, snouted thing, Sho-Gath, shambler from the stars, Sebek, Satan, Rhan-Tegoth.

Recently added images, also available on Instagram:

Librarium Cthulhuvius

An online library of first-generation, public domain Cthulhu Mythos stories, including works by H. P. Lovecraft, Robert Bloch, Hugh B. Cave, August Derleth, Robert E. Howard, Frank Belknap Long, Robert A. W. Lowndes, Duane W. Rimel, Clark Ashton Smith, and Donald Wandrei.

The Cthulhu Mythos: An Annotated Bibliography

Works by the first generation writers, with lists of the Mythos terms referenced in each story.

H. P. Lovecraft in front of a brick wall

The Myth Patterns of H. P. Lovecraft

A guide to the myth cycles within Lovecraft's fiction, including the cycles of Azathoth, Yog-Sothoth, and Cthulhu. Rather than establishing a fixed and explicit system, Lovecraft created a kaleidoscopic and ever-changing assemblage of slightly discordant elements, freely appropriating and repurposing beings from earlier works to suit the needs of his latest stories.

Elder Gods and Great Old Ones

A guide to August Derleth's evolving terminology for the "good" and "evil" gods.

The Family Tree of the Gods

The genealogies of the Elder Ones, according to charts drawn by H. P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith. Revised in 2024 with information about Ossadagowah.

Guide to Arkham

Arkham

A complete guide to this history, features, and inhabitants of Lovecraft's signature town.

Lovecraft's Map of Arkham

HPL's hand-drawn map of one of his most famous creations.

Guide to Dunwich

Dunwich

All the points of interest, amenities, local characters, and history of one of Lovecraft's most blighted backwaters.

A Map of Dunwich, Massachusetts

An original map of the Dunwich area, based on clues in "The Dunwich Horror," with extensive explanations.

Guide to Innsmouth

Innsmouth

A complete examination of the history, geography, and the curse of Innsmouth, as described in the writings of H. P. Lovecraft, August Derleth, and other first-generation writers.

Map of Innsmouth and Environs

Discussion of the Map

Now updated to reflect Lovecraft's full sketch map of Innsmouth. Thanks to Henri Desbois for providing Lovecraft's sketch maps to me; his own renderings of Innsmouth are available here and here.

The Descent of Robert Olmstead

The geneaology of Lovecraft's narrator, according to Lovecraft's preliminary notes and according to the finished story.

The Innsmouth Look

A photo album of local points of interest.

The Necronomicon: A Study

Including H.P. Lovecraft's History of the Necronomicon and all known Necronomicon quotations from the first generation of Mythos authors.

Sources of Necromancy in Charles Dexter Ward

One of our most in-depth scholarly effusions... With eldritch engravings!

A Short Tour of Lovecraftian New England

Photos and notes about the real places that inspired Arkham, Innsmouth, and other Lovecraftian settings.

The Real Arkham Sanitarium: Danvers State Hospital - Slideshow

An inspiration for Lovecraft's Arkham Sanitarium, Danvers State Hospital was a Victorian era complex featuring rather ornate and foreboding architecture. Mostly torn down now, but you can see some photo-engravings here based on images taken in 1997 before the demolition.

The Spanish Translation of Al-Azif, by Dr Carlos Sorentino

H. P. Lovecraft and the Myth of the 20th Century

Cthulhu Files Bookstore

A bookstore focusing primarily on works by the first generation of Cthulhu Mythos authors, including H. P. Lovecraft, Robert Bloch, August Derleth, Robert E. Howard, Frank Belknap Long, Clark Ashton Smith, and Donald Wandrei.

Art

A Selection of Cover Art

By Victor Valla and other artists, from the classic Beagle Boxer and Lancer paperbacks of H.P.L.

Lady Hamilton with Pet

The Hound

A Cat of Ulthar

The Strange High House in the Mist

Emergence

Virgil Finlay's portrait of HPL

Artwork from Kenneth Waters

Mythos Booze and Grub

Links

Related Sites

Awards

Images in the left margin, and tentacle elements in Cthulhu Universalis logo and bibliography logo are from Art Forms in Nature, by Ernst Haeckel.

Cthulhu image for Librarium Cthulhuvius is a detail from Raymond Bayless's peerless cover illustration for the seventh printing of H. P. Lovecraft, The Dunwich Horror and Others, Sauk City, WI: Arkham House Publishers, Inc.