Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and his
The story revolves around Robert-Jean-Pierre Jermyn, a wealthy and reclusive collector who dies under mysterious circumstances. His son Arthur returns to his family's estate in London after receiving news of his father's death. Arthur discovers that his father had been researching the history of their family and becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about their past. He learns that they are descended from an ancient, African tribe known for their advanced knowledge and strange customs. As Arthur delves deeper into his family's history, he uncovers evidence of a dark and sinister legacy that has haunted them for generations. The story builds towards a tragic conclusion as Arthur confronts the horrors of his family's past and ultimately meets a terrible fate.
By H.P. Lovecraft · First published 1920 · Genre: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Weird Fiction · 2 chapters · 4,069 words
First lines
Life is a hideous thing, and from the background behind what we know of it peer daemoniacal hints of truth which make it sometimes a thousandfold more hideous. Science, already oppressive with its shocking revelations, will perhaps be the ultimate exterminator of our human species-if separate species we be-for its reserve of unguessed horrors could never be borne by mortal brains if loosed upon the world. If we knew what we are, we should do as Sir Arthur Jermyn did; and Arthur Jermyn soaked himself in oil and set fire to his clothing one night. No one placed the charred fragments in an urn or set a memorial to him who had been; for certain papers and a certain boxed object were found, which made men wish to forget. Some who knew him do not admit that he ever existed.
What this Textopian page supports
Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and his Family is listed on Textopian as a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: H.P. Lovecraft
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Gothic Fiction, Weird Fiction, Science Fiction, Psychological Fiction
- Length: 4,069 words
- Structure: 2 chapters, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and his Family by H.P. Lovecraft
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Facts Concerning the Late Arthur Jermyn and his Family?
- How does this short story by H.P. Lovecraft fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Thing On The Doorstep by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Rats In The Walls by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Haunter Of The Dark by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Curse Of Yig by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Statement Of Randolph Carter by H. P. Lovecraft
- The Music Of Erich Zann by H. P. Lovecraft
Genres
- Horror — The narrative explores themes of madness, existential dread, and the grotesque, culminating in a horrifying revelation.
- Gothic Fiction — The story features elements typical of Gothic literature, including a decaying ancestral home, family curses, and a sense of foreboding.
- Weird Fiction — The blending of the supernatural with the mundane, and the exploration of unknown horrors aligns with the conventions of weird fiction.
- Science Fiction — The story incorporates speculative elements regarding anthropology and the implications of scientific discovery on human identity.
Tags
Horror · Supernatural Fiction · Gothic Fiction · Dark Fantasy · Cthulhu Mythos · Weird Fiction · Short Story · Anthropological Horror · Racial Anxiety · Colonialism · Decay of Civilization · Madness