This concise biography explores the life of Zealia Bishop, a noteworthy contributor to the realm of Lovecraftian literature. It delves into her relationship with H.P. Lovecraft and her subsequent literary endeavors, unearthing the shared attributes and unique disparities in their works. The biography underscores Bishop's own legacy, often overshadowed by Lovecraft, providing a refreshing perspective on this overlooked literary figure.
Zealia Bishop, born in 1897, was a prominent figure in American horror literature who is best recognized for her affiliation with the acclaimed author, H.P. Lovecraft. Bishop and Lovecraft began their correspondence in the 1920s and maintained this professional relationship until Lovecraft's passing in 1937 (Joshi, 2013).
Primarily, Bishop served as a revision client to Lovecraft, in which she presented her drafts to Lovecraft, who would then provide thorough feedback and rewrites. The revisions were extensive to the point where Lovecraft's input significantly reshaped the stories, with some even arguing that the final products were largely Lovecraft's creations (Joshi, 2013).
This is particularly true for the three stories of Bishop's that Lovecraft revised: "The Curse of Yig," "Medusa's Coil," and "The Mound." All three tales encapsulate Lovecraft's common themes and stylistic patterns, like ancient lore, non-human entities, and the limits of human understanding (Kneale, 2006).
Notwithstanding, Bishop's stories have been incorporated into the wider Cthulhu Mythos, a shared universe developed by authors who write in Lovecraft's tradition (Joshi, 2013). Even though Bishop's works have gained recognition within this universe, she remains a relatively overshadowed figure in literary history due to Lovecraft's dominant influence on her most recognized works.
Following Lovecraft's death, Bishop authored a memoir about him, providing unique insights into his life and character from the perspective of one of his close correspondents. The memoir is titled "H.P. Lovecraft: A Pupil's View" and was published in 1953 (Joshi, 2001).
Publications attributed to Zealia Bishop include:
- "The Curse of Yig" (1929)
- "Medusa's Coil" (1930)
- "The Mound" (1940)
- "H.P. Lovecraft: A Pupil's View" (1953)
Bishop passed away in 1968, leaving behind an indirect, yet significant contribution to American horror literature (Joshi, 2013).
Bibliography:
- Joshi, S. T. (2001). A Dreamer and a Visionary: H. P. Lovecraft in His Time. Liverpool University Press.
- Joshi, S. T. (2013). Unutterable Horror: A History of Supernatural Fiction, Volume 2. PS Publishing.
- Kneale, K. (2006). "H. P. Lovecraft and the Northern Gothic Tongue". In The Gothic World of H. P. Lovecraft. Northanger Library.
