Frank Belknap Long - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Frank Belknap Long (1901-1994) was an American writer, poet, and key figure in the Weird Tales circle who helped shape modern horror and science fiction literature through his prolific career spanning over seven decades. A close friend and correspondent of H.P. Lovecraft, Long distinguished himself as one of the earliest contributors to the Cthulhu Mythos while developing his own distinctive voice in weird fiction.
Long's literary journey began in the early 1920s when, as a young poet and fiction writer in New York City, he became associated with Lovecraft's literary circle. His first published story, "The Desert Lich," appeared in Weird Tales in 1924, marking the beginning of a remarkable career that would produce over 150 short stories, 25 novels, and several collections of poetry. Of particular significance was his 1928 story "The Hounds of Tindalos," which introduced the concept of angular time and the fearsome Hounds themselves—entities that would become enduring elements of the Cthulhu Mythos and weird fiction canon.
Despite his close association with Lovecraft and the Mythos, Long's work demonstrated remarkable versatility, encompassing science fiction, fantasy, horror, and mainstream fiction. He pioneered the fusion of science fiction and horror elements, as exemplified in works like "The Horror from the Hills" (1931) and "The Space Eaters" (1928). His poetry, often overlooked in discussions of his work, revealed a sensitive craftsmanship that earned him the Clark Ashton Smith Award for Poetry in 1978.
Long's influence continues to resonate in contemporary horror and science fiction, with his concepts of dimensional horror and cosmic terror inspiring generations of writers. His life and work bridge the golden age of weird fiction and modern horror, offering unique insights into the evolution of speculative literature. Though sometimes overshadowed by Lovecraft's legacy, Long's contributions to weird fiction and his role in developing the Cthulhu Mythos remain significant subjects of study for scholars and enthusiasts of speculative fiction. The angular terrors he conceived in "The Hounds of Tindalos" continue to haunt the imagination, reminding us that some horrors, once conceived, become permanent fixtures in our cultural consciousness.