Hp Lovecraft'S Cat Name

What Was H.P. Lovecraft’s Cat’s Name?
H.P. Lovecraft, the early 20th-century horror writer known for creating the Cthulhu Mythos, owned a cat during his childhood with a highly controversial name: "Nigger-Man." The cat lived with Lovecraft’s family in Providence, Rhode Island, and is mentioned in letters and family recollections.
This name also appears in his 1924 short story The Rats in the Walls, where a character owns a black cat with the same name. However, in later reprints—particularly from the 1950s onward—the name was often changed or omitted due to its offensive nature.
The original name of Lovecraft's cat has been the subject of significant criticism and is frequently cited as a reflection of Lovecraft’s documented racist views. Scholars and readers today continue to wrestle with the tension between his literary influence and his bigoted personal beliefs.
Key Points:
The cat's name was a racial slur, commonly used at the time but now universally condemned.


Lovecraft's writings and correspondence reflect explicit racism, which has become an important part of how his legacy is evaluated.


Modern editions of his works often alter or omit offensive language to align with contemporary standards.


Context Matters:
Understanding Lovecraft's cat name isn’t just a matter of historical trivia—it opens a broader conversation about racism in early 20th-century literature and the responsibility of modern readers and publishers in addressing offensive content.