Donald A. Wandrei

Donald A. Wandrei, also known as Donald Albert Wandrei (1908-1987), was an American science fiction, fantasy, and weird fiction writer, poet, and editor. Here's a compilation of information about him:

Life and Career:

• Born: April 20, 1908, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
• Died: October 15, 1987, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
• Older brother of science fiction writer and artist Howard Wandrei.

Literary Contributions:

• Published stories in magazines like Weird Tales (14 stories), Astounding Stories (16 stories), and others.
• Known for his fantasy and weird fiction, particularly stories contributing to the Cthulhu Mythos (developed by H.P. Lovecraft). His story "The Red Brain" (1927) is considered a foundational work in the genre.
• Accomplished poet, known for being the first to write a series of sonnets for Weird Tales, "Sonnets of the Midnight Hours," which inspired similar series by H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard.

Legacy:

• Co-founded Arkham House (with August Derleth) in 1929, a prestigious publishing house dedicated to fantasy and horror literature. Arkham House played a significant role in preserving and promoting the works of H.P. Lovecraft and other weird fiction authors.
• While overshadowed by some contemporaries, Wandrei's work is recognized for its imaginative storytelling and contribution to the development of science fiction and fantasy genres.