Through researching family records, we've been able piece together the major events of Rhodes' life. The filmmaker lived and worked in NYC for only about 16 years. He was born in the community of Kingston and returned there shortly before his untimely death.

H.P. Lovecraft's relationship with Rhodes is similar to ones he shared with other writers. They met in New York, and later would correspond through letters, bouncing ideas off one another. As many Lovecraft readers know, the writer wasn't fond of cinema as a storytelling medium, but he allowed Rhodes some latitude in adapting animated versions of his stories.

Rhodes and Lovecraft Timeline

January 8, 1901 Peter Rhodes is born in Kingston, New York. He and his older brother John are raised by parents James and Ruth on the Rhodes family farm. As a young adult, he takes up painting and displays an innate talent.

Spring, 1918 John Rhodes returns home after serving a stint in the first World War. He tells Peter of his experiences in Europe, and the two vow to leave their small town life one day.

August, 1918 Occultist Aleister Crowley, the "wickedest man in the world," takes sabbatical on Esopus Island near Kingston. Rhodes and his brother are among those who bring him provisions during his stay. They find themselves drawn to Crowley's occult teachings. When Crowley leaves the island, the Rhodes brothers go against their family's wishes and follow Crowley to New York.

Fall, 1918 The Rhodes brothers are accepted into New York's occult and literary circles. Though not formally educated, John's talent for ceremonial magick and Peter's dreamlike paintings inspire those they meet. They live off the generosity of several benefactors.

December, 1919 Crowley leaves New York, returning to Europe. Inspired by Crowley's teachings, John Rhodes embarks on an evangelical mission upstate, leaving his brother behind in Brooklyn.

1921 Lovecraft writes the short story, "The Other Gods."

1922 Lovecraft and Rhodes meet in Brooklyn and they strike up a friendship. Rhodes reads several of Lovecraft's unpublished stories and is inspired to sketch some of the author's more terrible creations. Lovecraft, likewise, is intrigued by Rhodes' artwork.

May, 1923 Rhodes receives word that his brother has disappeared. He journeys upstate to find out what he can about John's whereabouts. What Rhodes may have discovered about his brother is not known, but he returns to New York a changed man. He turns to Lovecraft's story of "The Other Gods" and seems to find catharsis in its story of a blasphemer who asks too much from his gods.

April 1, 1924 Rhodes' first screening of "The Other Gods" is for the Theosophical Society in Manhattan. Lovecraft is flattered by the result, but refuses to endorse any public screenings. His belief in the power of the written word over cinema does not falter. Undaunted, Rhodes works on other adaptations, including "The Cats of Ulthar" and "The Doom that Came to Sarnath."

April 17, 1926 Lovecraft moves to Providence, Rhode Island. He and Rhodes remain in touch through letters over the next several years.

1926 Lovecraft writes "Pickman’s Model." In a nod to his friend, Lovecraft's title artist use the name "Peters" when renting his Back Bay apartment.

1927 Lovecraft's "Pickman’s Model" is published in Weird Tales.

1929 After several failed attempts to fund another film, Rhodes returns to painting.

1933 Lovecraft's "The Other Gods" is published in The Fantasy Fan magazine.

June, 1934 With his father's health failing, Rhodes returns to Kingston to help with the family farm. His father dies later that year.

December 12, 1938 Rhodes dies in a fire at the age of 37.