📖 Overview
Glenn Lord (1931-2011) was a literary agent, editor, and researcher widely recognized as the leading authority on Robert E. Howard's works and legacy. He served as the literary agent for Howard's estate from 1965 to 2005, and was instrumental in bringing many of Howard's previously unpublished works to light.
Throughout his career, Lord assembled the largest collection of Howard's original manuscripts, letters, and documents, which became known as "The Glenn Lord Collection." He used these materials to publish numerous collections and scholarly works about Howard, including The Last Celt: A Bio-Bibliography of Robert E. Howard (1976), which remains a cornerstone reference work for Howard studies.
Lord's editorial work resulted in the publication of several significant Howard collections, including Always Comes Evening (1957) and The Howard Collector (1961-1973). His meticulous research and preservation efforts helped establish Howard's place in American literature and contributed to the continuing popularity of characters like Conan the Barbarian.
As the first Secretary-Treasurer of The Robert E. Howard United Press Association (REHupa), Lord played a crucial role in organizing and connecting Howard scholars and enthusiasts. His contributions to Howard studies earned him numerous awards, including the World Fantasy Convention's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1978.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently praise Glenn Lord's dedication to preserving and publishing Robert E. Howard's work. Reviews frequently mention his meticulous attention to detail when compiling Howard's manuscripts and letters.
What readers liked:
- Comprehensive research and documentation
- Clear, academic writing style in The Last Celt
- Organization and presentation of Howard's previously unpublished materials
- Objective approach to Howard scholarship
- Detailed bibliographic information
What readers disliked:
- Limited availability of some collections
- High prices for rare editions
- Academic tone can feel dry for casual readers
Ratings:
The Last Celt maintains a 4.4/5 on Goodreads (42 ratings)
Selected reviews from forums and fansites:
"Lord's work set the standard for Howard scholarship" - REH: Two-Gun Raconteur
"His research saved countless Howard manuscripts from being lost" - The Cimmerian
"The Howard Collector remains the definitive source" - REHupa member review
Note: Most reader reviews focus on Lord's role as an editor/compiler rather than his original writing.
📚 Books by Glenn Lord
The Last Celt: A Bio-Bibliography of Robert E. Howard (1976)
A comprehensive biographical and bibliographical reference work documenting Robert E. Howard's life and literary output, including detailed listings of his published works, letters, and manuscripts.
The Howard Collector (1961-1973) A periodical publication series containing previously unpublished Howard stories, poems, and letters, along with scholarly articles about Howard's work and legacy.
Always Comes Evening (1957) A collection of Robert E. Howard's poetry compiled and edited by Glenn Lord, presenting both published and previously unreleased verses.
Some of the best of The Howard Collector (1978) A curated compilation of the most significant articles, stories, and materials previously featured in The Howard Collector periodical series.
The Yellow Road: Previously Unpublished REH (1969) A collection of previously unpublished stories and fragments by Robert E. Howard, assembled and edited from original manuscripts.
The Howard Collector (1961-1973) A periodical publication series containing previously unpublished Howard stories, poems, and letters, along with scholarly articles about Howard's work and legacy.
Always Comes Evening (1957) A collection of Robert E. Howard's poetry compiled and edited by Glenn Lord, presenting both published and previously unreleased verses.
Some of the best of The Howard Collector (1978) A curated compilation of the most significant articles, stories, and materials previously featured in The Howard Collector periodical series.
The Yellow Road: Previously Unpublished REH (1969) A collection of previously unpublished stories and fragments by Robert E. Howard, assembled and edited from original manuscripts.
👥 Similar authors
L. Sprague de Camp specialized in sword and sorcery fiction and worked extensively with Robert E. Howard's materials. He completed unfinished Howard manuscripts and edited multiple Conan collections.
August Derleth founded Arkham House Publishers and preserved the works of H.P. Lovecraft and other pulp writers. He shared Lord's dedication to preserving and promoting pulp fiction authors through careful documentation and republishing efforts.
Donald M. Grant published deluxe editions of fantasy and science fiction works, including many Robert E. Howard collections. His publishing work focused on high-quality presentations of pulp authors' works with careful attention to textual accuracy.
Karl Edward Wagner edited Howard's Conan texts and worked to restore them to their original versions. He combined scholarly research with his own sword and sorcery writing, similar to Lord's dual role as researcher and editor.
E. Hoffmann Price wrote for Weird Tales magazine and personally knew many pulp era writers including Robert E. Howard. He documented firsthand accounts of the pulp writing era through his memoirs and correspondence.
August Derleth founded Arkham House Publishers and preserved the works of H.P. Lovecraft and other pulp writers. He shared Lord's dedication to preserving and promoting pulp fiction authors through careful documentation and republishing efforts.
Donald M. Grant published deluxe editions of fantasy and science fiction works, including many Robert E. Howard collections. His publishing work focused on high-quality presentations of pulp authors' works with careful attention to textual accuracy.
Karl Edward Wagner edited Howard's Conan texts and worked to restore them to their original versions. He combined scholarly research with his own sword and sorcery writing, similar to Lord's dual role as researcher and editor.
E. Hoffmann Price wrote for Weird Tales magazine and personally knew many pulp era writers including Robert E. Howard. He documented firsthand accounts of the pulp writing era through his memoirs and correspondence.