Tales of Horror and the Supernatural Author:Arthur Machen Arthur Machen was born in Wales in 1863, he died in 1947. His Celtic heritage left an indelible impression on him, for his writings are an elaborate and rich tapestry of ancient , yet timeless themes. He believed that the superficiality of the modern world offered little in exchange for the colorful customs and imagery of the past. — Machen is be... more »st remembered for his journeys into the elemental terrors of the supernatural. It is stark, haunting fear that dominates his stories ... interwoven with his fiendish genius for fantasy and nightmarish evel. He si the wizard, the enchanter, whose artful performances are as magical as they are frightening.