S. T. Joshi
S.T. Joshi: A Lifetime Devoted to the Study of Horror and Weird Fiction
Full Name and Common Aliases
S.T. Joshi was born as Stanley Edgar Waren in 1958. Over time, he adopted his initials "S.T." as his pen name.
Birth and Death Dates
He was born on August 14, 1958.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Joshi is an American scholar, critic, editor, and author of many books on horror fiction, fantasy literature, and the history of weird fiction. He has been a prominent figure in the world of academic publishing and has written extensively on topics related to horror, science fiction, and fantasy.
Early Life and Background
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Joshi's interest in supernatural and occult themes began early in life. His love for horror fiction was sparked by reading H.P. Lovecraft's works at the age of 13. This marked the beginning of his lifelong journey into the realm of weird fiction.
Growing up, Joshi displayed a keen intellect and an innate passion for learning, traits that would serve him well throughout his academic career. He pursued higher education with great enthusiasm, eventually earning a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Oregon.
Major Accomplishments
Joshi's contributions to the field of horror and weird fiction are numerous and significant:
Author: Joshi has written extensively on various aspects of horror fiction. His notable works include "H.P. Lovecraft: The Decline of the West" (1990) and "The Weird Tale" (1996).
Editor: He has edited numerous anthologies, such as "The Encyclopedia of the Weird & Wonderful" (2001) and "American Fantastic Tales: 1926-1940" (2010), which is a collection of American weird fiction stories.
Scholar: Joshi's academic expertise lies in his analysis of horror fiction. He has made significant contributions to the understanding of this genre, shedding light on its evolution over time.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by and about S.T. Joshi include:
"The Weird Fiction" (2001): A comprehensive anthology showcasing the best weird fiction from around the world.
"An Introduction to the Weird" (2014): A detailed analysis of the weird fiction genre, its history, and its significance in modern literature.Impact and Legacy
S.T. Joshi's dedication to the study of horror and weird fiction has left a lasting impact on the literary world:
His thorough research and insightful critiques have set a new standard for literary analysis.
Through his numerous anthologies, he has introduced readers to a wide range of obscure yet fascinating works, expanding the boundaries of modern literature.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Joshi's influence can be attributed to several factors:
His meticulous research has made him an authority in the field.
* His influence on the genre cannot be overstated, as he has helped shape the understanding of horror and weird fiction.
S.T. Joshi is remembered for his relentless pursuit of knowledge and his unwavering dedication to preserving the legacy of weird fiction. Through his works, he continues to inspire new generations of scholars and readers alike.
Quotes by S. T. Joshi
God’s existence needs to be established independently before he can be brought into account for causation; it cannot be assumed at the start.
The atheist, agnostic, or secularist ... should guard against the encroachment of religion in areas where it has no place, and in particular the control of education by religious authority. The attempts to ban the teaching of evolution or other scientific theories -- a feeble echo of medieval church tyranny and hostility to learning, but an echo nonetheless are serious threats to freedom of inquiry and should be vigorously combated.
Richard Gavin is one of the bright new stars in contemporary weird fiction. His richly textured style, deft character portrayal, and powerful horrific conceptions make every one of his tales a pleasure to read.
God's existence needs to be established independently before he can be brought into account for causation; it cannot be assumed at the start.
The prose of Joe Pulver can take its place with that of the masters of our genre – E.A. Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Ramsey Campbell, Thomas Ligotti – while his imaginative reach is something uniquely his own.
The decline of witch-belief was . . . entirely the product of religious skepticism. . . . The Catholic Church did not reform itself on this matter; it was forced by outside pressure to reform. To be sure, the Protestant churches were no better in this regard; it is simply that they had less time - only two or three centuries - to engage in the torching of witches. After all, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, stated quite correctly that disbelief in witches meant a disbelief in the Bible.
When I read passages like this, I want to look for the nearest wall to bang my head against.
I myself am not comfortable with the notion of secularists congregating in groups, except perhaps for defensive purposes: the last thing a secularist should wish to do is to act like a religion, with its rigid hierarchies, its suppression of divergent opinion, and, above all, its ruthless attempts (now mercifully inhibited by laws) to outlaw "heresy" by brute force. Opinions must be changed, one at a time if necessary, but if there are those who wish to persist in religious belief, they should certainly be allowed to do so.
The atheist, agnostic, or secularist ... should insist on the need to engage in a meaningful debate on the entire issue of the truth or falsity (or probability or improbability) of religious tenets, without being subject to accusations of impiety, immorality, impoliteness, or any of the other smokescreens used by the pious to deflect attention from the central issues at hand.
You go back to T. H. Huxley, who coined the term, what he said - and I came to believe he is right - is that agnosticism asserts not only that he himself didn't know if there was a God or not, but that nobody could know.