He was born on Angell Street, attended Hope High, spent the last decade of his life on Barnes Street producing his most well-known works, and is buried in the Phillips family plot at Swan Point Cemetery — the story of H.P. Lovecraft is embedded in the fabric of this city. A troubled man, Lovecraft’s dreams of attending Brown and becoming an astronomer were thwarted by chronic financial and emotional difficulties. But his subsequent writings have influenced untold numbers of artists, writers and musicians — from Stephen King to Black Sabbath — and entertained readers around the world. It was apparently his loyal fans who had this headstone erected in 1977.
There will be a celebration of the 74th anniversary of the author’s passing at the Ladd Observatory this Sunday with readings from Lovecraft’s works. The weather looks agreeable.
Free, 3pm, Sunday, April 3, Ladd Observatory, 210 Doyle Avenue, info 401.356.1381
There is also a marker next to the John Hay Library on Prospect St. (See http://www.hplovecraft.com/life/biograph.asp for related background.) I’m happy to say that I was there when it was dedicated during the Lovecraft Centennial Conference in Providence in 1990. This city is not like other cities.