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| + | {{Infobox_organisation|image1 = Miskatonic_U.jpg|caption1 = MU as it appeared in the "Miskatonic U. Graduate Kit" published by [[Chaosium]]|location = [[Arkham]], Essex County, Massachusetts|first_appearance = {{HPL}}: [[Herbert West--Reanimator]]|appearances = {{EXP}}: [[Call of Cthulhu role-playing game]]|created_by = [[H. P. Lovecraft]]}}'''Miskatonic University''' is a university located in [[Arkham]], named after the Miskatonic River, which flows through the town. The school appears in numerous [[Cthulhu Mythos]] stories by Lovecraft and other writers. |
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| − | [[File:Miskatonic_U.jpg|thumb|352px|MU as it appeared in the "[[Miskatonic U. Graduate Kit]]" published by [[Chaosium]]]] |
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| − | '''Miskatonic University''' is a fictional university located in [[Arkham]], a fictitious town in Essex County, Massachusetts. It is named after the Miskatonic River, which flows through the town. After first appearing in [[H. P. Lovecraft|H. P. Lovecraft's]] 1922 story "[[Herbert West--Reanimator]]", the school appeared in numerous [[Cthulhu Mythos]] stories by Lovecraft and other writers. The story "[[The Dunwich Horror]]" implies that Miskatonic University is a highly prestigious university, on par with Harvard University, and that Harvard and Miskatonic are the two most popular schools for the children of the Massachusetts “Old Gentry”. The university also appears in the Call of Cthulhu role-playing game based on the mythos. |
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| − | The school is the most famous institution in the imaginary setting known as [[Lovecraft Country]]. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | Miskatonic University is modeled on northeastern Ivy League institutions of Lovecraft's day, like Harvard University, Yale University, Dartmouth and especially Brown University of his hometown Providence, Rhode Island; which Lovecraft himself wished to attend.<ref>Ross Wells. 2002. EXploZion! iUniverse. p. 15 |
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| + | The Miskatonic University is a highly prestigious university, on par with Harvard University, in fact Harvard and Miskatonic are the two most popular schools for the children of the Massachusetts “Old Gentry”. ({{HPL}}: ''[[The Dunwich Horror]]'') |
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| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
Miskatonic University is famous for its collection of Cthulhu Mythos arcane literature and occult books. The library holds one of the very few genuine copies of the ''[[Necronomicon]]''. Other tomes include the ''[[Unaussprechlichen Kulten]]'' by [[Friedrich von Junzt]] and the fragmentary ''Book of Eibon''. |
Miskatonic University is famous for its collection of Cthulhu Mythos arcane literature and occult books. The library holds one of the very few genuine copies of the ''[[Necronomicon]]''. Other tomes include the ''[[Unaussprechlichen Kulten]]'' by [[Friedrich von Junzt]] and the fragmentary ''Book of Eibon''. |
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| − | Miskatonic has a medical school |
+ | Miskatonic has a medical school. ({{HPL}}: [[Herbert West--Reanimator]]) |
| − | + | Opinions differ as to whether mystical and Mythos studies at the University are covert or overt. Sometimes the Miskatonic University is an apparently ordinary university whose occult undercurrent only occasionally breaks the surface while at other times the stranger elements are openly displayed and form part of the campus' cultural identity. |
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To represent Miskatonic University in their [[The Whisperer in Darkness]] film in 2009, [[the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society]] chose Mount Holyoke College. The film uses Pasadena City College for interior scenes of the school.<ref>''The Whisperer in Darkness.'' Dir. Sean Branney. 2011. DVD. Fungi, LLC, 2012. Special Features disc. "The Whisperer Behind the Scenes."</ref> |
To represent Miskatonic University in their [[The Whisperer in Darkness]] film in 2009, [[the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society]] chose Mount Holyoke College. The film uses Pasadena City College for interior scenes of the school.<ref>''The Whisperer in Darkness.'' Dir. Sean Branney. 2011. DVD. Fungi, LLC, 2012. Special Features disc. "The Whisperer Behind the Scenes."</ref> |
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==Miskatonic Museum== |
==Miskatonic Museum== |
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| − | Located on the University campus the museum holds a piece of jewelry from the [ |
+ | Located on the University campus the museum holds a piece of jewelry from the [[Innsmouth]] [[Deep One]]s. ({{HPL}}: [[The Shadow Over Innsmouth]]) |
==Faculty== |
==Faculty== |
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|Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated series finale ''Come Undone'' |
|Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated series finale ''Come Undone'' |
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| + | ==Notable students== |
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| + | The university's student body is implied to have been predominantly male throughout the early 20th century and the only female student mentioned is the infamous [[Asenath Waite]]. ({{HPL}}: "[[The Thing on the Doorstep]]") |
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| + | [[Walter Gilman]] attends classes at the university. ({{HPL}}: "[[The Dreams in the Witch House]]") |
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| + | ==External projects== |
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| + | The institution finances the expeditions to Antarctica ({{HPL}}: ''[[At the Mountains of Madness]]'') and Australia. ({{HPL}}: ''[[The Shadow Out of Time]]'') |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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Miskatonic_University_(Igor_Kirdeika).jpg |
Miskatonic_University_(Igor_Kirdeika).jpg |
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Miskatonic_University_(Joseph_Diaz).jpg |
Miskatonic_University_(Joseph_Diaz).jpg |
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| + | Miskatonic_U.jpg |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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==Etymology== |
==Etymology== |
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Lovecraft has declared that the word was "a jumble of Algonquin language roots." |
Lovecraft has declared that the word was "a jumble of Algonquin language roots." |
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| + | ==Origins== |
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| ⚫ | Miskatonic University is modeled on northeastern Ivy League institutions of Lovecraft's day, like Harvard University, Yale University, Dartmouth and especially Brown University of his hometown Providence, Rhode Island; which Lovecraft himself wished to attend.<ref>Ross Wells. 2002. EXploZion! iUniverse. p. 15</ref> |
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| + | |||
==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 16:03, 10 May 2020
Miskatonic University is a university located in Arkham, named after the Miskatonic River, which flows through the town. The school appears in numerous Cthulhu Mythos stories by Lovecraft and other writers.
The Miskatonic University is a highly prestigious university, on par with Harvard University, in fact Harvard and Miskatonic are the two most popular schools for the children of the Massachusetts “Old Gentry”. (HPL: The Dunwich Horror)
Campus
Miskatonic University is famous for its collection of Cthulhu Mythos arcane literature and occult books. The library holds one of the very few genuine copies of the Necronomicon. Other tomes include the Unaussprechlichen Kulten by Friedrich von Junzt and the fragmentary Book of Eibon.
Miskatonic has a medical school. (HPL: Herbert West--Reanimator)
Opinions differ as to whether mystical and Mythos studies at the University are covert or overt. Sometimes the Miskatonic University is an apparently ordinary university whose occult undercurrent only occasionally breaks the surface while at other times the stranger elements are openly displayed and form part of the campus' cultural identity.
To represent Miskatonic University in their The Whisperer in Darkness film in 2009, the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society chose Mount Holyoke College. The film uses Pasadena City College for interior scenes of the school.[1]
Miskatonic Museum
Located on the University campus the museum holds a piece of jewelry from the Innsmouth Deep Ones. (HPL: The Shadow Over Innsmouth)
Faculty
Lovecraft's work
The following table lists the professors of Miskatonic University and their respective departments from Lovecraft's stories.[2]
| Name | Department | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Henry Armitage | Chief Librarian | "The Dunwich Horror" |
| Professor Ferdinand C. Ashley | Ancient History | "The Shadow Out of Time" |
| Professor Atwood | Physics | At the Mountains of Madness |
| Professor Dexter | Zoology | "The Whisperer in Darkness" |
| Professor William Dyer | Geology | "At the Mountains of Madness" "The Shadow Out of Time" |
| Professor Ellery | Chemistry | "The Dreams in the Witch House" |
| Professor Tyler M. Freeborn | Anthropology | "The Shadow Out of Time" |
| Dr. Allen Halsey | Dean of the Medical School | "Herbert West--Reanimator" |
| Professor Lake | Biology | At the Mountains of Madness |
| Dr. Francis Morgan | Archaeology | "The Dunwich Horror" |
| Professor Frank H. Pabodie | Engineering | At the Mountains of Madness |
| Professor Nathaniel Wingate Peaslee | Political Economy | "The Shadow Out of Time" |
| Professor Wingate Peaslee | Psychology | "The Shadow Out of Time" |
| Professor Warren Rice | Languages | "The Dunwich Horror" |
| Professor Upham | Mathematics | "The Dreams in the Witch House" |
| "Old" Waldron | College doctor | "The Dreams in the Witch House" |
| Albert N. Wilmarth | English | "At the Mountains of Madness" "The Whisperer in Darkness" |
Other authors' work
| Name | Department | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| Tony Alwyn | Assistant Librarian | "Beyond the Threshold" |
| Dr. Dan Cain | Hospital | Bride of Re-Animator |
| Randolph Carter | Unstated | "The New Traveller's Almanac" |
| Professor Alice Derleth | Occult Sciences | "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" |
| Dr. T.W. Erwin | Mathematics | "The Revolution's Fine" in The Avengers vol. 1, #83[3][4] |
| Dr. Graves | Hospital | Bride of Re-Animator |
| Dr. Carl Hill | Medical School | Re-Animator |
| Professor Madison Haringa | Ancient languages | The Damned Highway |
| Ms. Doris Horus | Librarian (as of June 26, 1969) | The Illuminatus! Trilogy |
| Professor Ted Klein | Unstated | "The Collect Call of Cathulhu" |
| Professor Lake | Ocean biology | The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu |
| Professor Seneca Lapham | Anthropology | "The Lurker at the Threshold" |
| Dr. Cyrus Llanfer | Chief Librarian (following Armitage) | "The Return of Hastur" |
| Professor Joshua N. Marsh | Anthropology | The Illuminatus! Trilogy |
| Professor Dominique 'Mo' O'Brien | Philosophy | The Atrocity Archives The Jennifer Morgue The Fuller Memorandum |
| Ward Phillips (I) | First President (late 17th century) | "The Lurker at the Threshold" |
| Ward Phillips (II) | Chief Librarian (early 19th century) | "The Lurker at the Threshold" |
| Professor Laban Shrewsbury | Anthropology and philosophy | "The Trail of Cthulhu" |
| Professor William Wallace Spates | Zoology | Merkabah Rider: Once Upon A Time In The Weird West |
| Keith Brian Swerdlov | Archaeology | Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars |
| Ebenezer Tillinghast | Geology | "The Smoker from the Shadows" |
| Dr. Henry West MD | Necrobiology | Splatterhouse (2010 video game)] |
| Nathaniel Pickman Wingate | Physics | Kamillions |
| Professor Brightmeer | Chemistry | Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land (2011 video game) |
| Harlan Ellison | Subnuclear Sciences | Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated series finale Come Undone |
Notable students
The university's student body is implied to have been predominantly male throughout the early 20th century and the only female student mentioned is the infamous Asenath Waite. (HPL: "The Thing on the Doorstep")
Walter Gilman attends classes at the university. (HPL: "The Dreams in the Witch House")
External projects
The institution finances the expeditions to Antarctica (HPL: At the Mountains of Madness) and Australia. (HPL: The Shadow Out of Time)
Gallery
.jpg "Miskatonic University (Igor Kirdeika).jpg (199 KB)")
.jpg "Miskatonic University (Joseph Diaz).jpg (145 KB)")
Reference guides
Chaosium Press published several guides to the 1920s Miskatonic University. The first was a lengthy section in 'Arkham Unveiled' (1990) by Keith Herber with others and put a full university setting around existing H. P. Lovecraftian Mythos references. The second was Miskatonic University (1995), a full-length book by Sandy Antunes. Subtitled 'Where Science Meets the Mythos', this edition tried to merge and reconcile the Chaosium setting of 'Arkham Unveiled', the original Mythos sources, and historical 'period' details derived especially from 1920s Boston University, while also adding new items to the setting. A copy of this out-of-print book is in Boston University's Special Collections, and Chaosium granted rights in 1997 to the Miskatonic University website to reuse some of this material for their website. The third was a new edition of 'Miskatonic University' (2005) by 'Sam Johnson & friends' published in late 2005. This edition reworked the previous book and added more mystical and mythos game elements.
Joan Stanley published a small book, Ex Libris Miskatonici: A Catalogue of Selected Items from the Special Collections in the Miskatonic University Library, which is a researched historical fiction reference for canonical Mythos book references regarding MU.
Work was started at Chaosium on a sourcebook Arkham 1990 including a modern-day Miskatonic University, but that has not (as of 2006) yet been published.
Mottos for MU have ranged from "Ex Ignorantia Ad Sapientiam; Ex Luce Ad Tenebras" (Out Of Ignorance Into Wisdom; Out Of Light Into Darkness) to "A Small Sacrifice for Knowledge", and their mascot has been stated as everything from the Badger to the Fighting Cephalopods (as in, "Go ′Pods!").
Etymology
Lovecraft has declared that the word was "a jumble of Algonquin language roots."
Origins
Miskatonic University is modeled on northeastern Ivy League institutions of Lovecraft's day, like Harvard University, Yale University, Dartmouth and especially Brown University of his hometown Providence, Rhode Island; which Lovecraft himself wished to attend.[5]
References
- ↑ The Whisperer in Darkness. Dir. Sean Branney. 2011. DVD. Fungi, LLC, 2012. Special Features disc. "The Whisperer Behind the Scenes."
- ↑ A History of The Necronomicon. ISBN 0-318-04715-2., pp. 281–2. (List of professors.)
- ↑ Avengers #83 reviewed on the Bronzeagebabies website.
- ↑ T.W. Erwin's profile at The Appendix to the Handbook of the Marvel Universe
- ↑ Ross Wells. 2002. EXploZion! iUniverse. p. 15