August William Derleth was an American writer and anthologist. Known as the first book publisher of the writings of H. P. Lovecraft, Derleth's contributions extended to the Cthulhu Mythos and the cosmic horror genre. His role in establishing Arkham House was vital for bringing supernatural fiction to hardcover print in the US, which previously had been more accessible only in the UK.

Derleth's work as a regional writer was highly regarded, capturing the essence of life in Wisconsin through his ambitious Sac Prairie Saga, a collection of fiction, historical fiction, poetry, and non-fiction naturalist works. He was a Guggenheim Fellow in 1938 and is also remembered for creating the fictional detective Solar Pons, a pastiche of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. Moreover, Derleth was a pioneering naturalist and conservationist in his writings, often reflecting his deep appreciation for his Wisconsin roots.