Clark Ashton Smith was an American writer and poet who was active in the early 20th century. He is best known for his works of fantasy and horror, which often featured elements of science fiction and the supernatural. Smith was born in Long Valley, California in 1893 and was raised in a rural environment. He was a prolific writer, producing over 300 stories and poems in his lifetime. His works often featured exotic settings and characters, such as the lost city of Hyperborea and the sorcerer Eibon. Smith's writing style was heavily influenced by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, and he was a major contributor to the pulp magazine Weird Tales. He was also a close friend of H.P. Lovecraft, and the two writers often exchanged ideas and collaborated on stories. Smith's works have been praised for their vivid imagery and imaginative plots, and he is considered one of the most influential writers of the horror and fantasy genres.