Robert E. Howard: The Pulp Era Writer Who Invented Sword and Sorcery
Robert E. Howard, born on January 22, 1906, in Peaster, Texas, was raised by his mother, Hester, after his parents split up. She encouraged his passion for books, which led him to start writing for pulp magazines at just 15. His first published story, "Spear and Fang," marked the beginning of his literary career. By the time he turned 23, he achieved significant recognition with his iconic character, Conan the Barbarian, along with others like Brak Mak Morn, King Kull, and Solomon Kane. Howard wrote over 500 stories and 400 poems, primarily in Weird Tales, helping to shape the sword-and-sorcery genre. His legacy continues in modern films and comics.
Key facts
- Robert E. Howard was born on January 22, 1906, in Peaster, Texas
- Weird Tales published "Spear and Fang," his first paid story
- Howard created Conan the Barbarian, Brak Mak Morn, King Kull, and Solomon Kane
- The Conan stories helped invent the sword-and-sorcery genre
- Weird Tales published the majority of Conan's adventures
- Howard wrote more than 500 stories and 400 poems
- Belit in "Queen of the Black Coast" matches Conan as an equal
- His best works remain in print and have been adapted into movies and comics
Entities
Artists
- Robert E. Howard
- Hester Howard
- Frank Frazetta
Institutions
- Weird Tales
- Argosy
- Avon Fantasy Reader
- Wikimedia Commons
- Zub Tales
- The Collector
Locations
- Peaster
- Texas
- United States
- Cross Town