H. P. Lovecraft was an American writer born on August 20, 1890, in Providence, Rhode Island. He is best known for his contributions to the genre of weird fiction and horror, particularly through his creation of the Cthulhu Mythos, a shared fictional universe featuring ancient cosmic entities and themes of existential dread. Lovecraft's writing style is characterized by elaborate descriptions and a focus on atmosphere. His most famous works include "The Call of Cthulhu," "At the Mountains of Madness," and "The Shadow over Innsmouth." Despite facing limited recognition during his lifetime, Lovecraft's influence has grown significantly, impacting many modern authors and filmmakers in the horror genre.