Lin Carter was an American author, editor, and critic known for his contributions to the fantasy and science fiction genres. He is best remembered for his "Thongor" sword-and-sorcery series and for his role in reviving interest in classic fantasy literature through his work as editor of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series. Carter also wrote extensively in the tradition of authors like H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Rice Burroughs, and his efforts helped introduce a new generation of readers to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Lord Dunsany, and others.