A new William Hope Hodgson blog

Welcome to Hodgsoniana, a new blog about the life and works of author William Hope Hodgson (1877–1918). The aim of this blog is to provide a home for articles and new research on Hodgson, details of Hodgson-related happenings, and just generally act as an up-to-date (hopefully) resource that’s open to anyone interested in this remarkable literary figure. At time of writing, there is a lack of other active websites covering this subject, which is why starting a blog seemed a worthwhile endeavour. At the very least, it gives me a place to post some Hodgson-related thoughts and findings I’ve been meaning to write up! My hope is that others may be moved to contribute also.

Before going any further, I want to recognise the work of the late Hodgson scholar Sam Gafford, and in particular his excellent Hodgson blog williamhopehodgson.wordpress.com. I first stumbled upon Sam’s blog back in 2016, and his work opened my eyes to the depths and complexities of Hodgson’s history and writings. I entered into brief correspondence with Sam at that time, and his enthusiasm and encouragement were key factors in starting me on the path of pursuing my own Hodgson studies.

Sam Gafford sadly passed away in 2019, leaving his site dormant. It remains a valuable treasure trove of information, and I will certainly aspire to follow Sam’s example in exploring and documenting all matters Hodgson.

2027 will see the 150th anniversary of William Hope Hodgson’s birth. There is still much to discuss regarding his work, and many areas of his life remain obscure and in need of further investigation. I hope this site can help in encouraging and chronicling such efforts.

Source: https://hodgsoniana.wordpress.com/2025/06/22/a-new-william-hope-hodgson-blog/ access on 28 february 2026.

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. About 6-7 million people worldwide are estimated to be infected with T. cruzi. The disease is found mainly in endemic areas of 21 continental Latin American countries, where it has been mostly transmitted to humans and other mammals by contact with feces or urine of triatomine bugs (vector-borne), known as kissing bugs, among many other popular names, depending on the geographical area.

Chagas disease is named after Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, a Brazilian physician and researcher who discovered the disease in 1909. Chagas disease was once entirely confined to continental rural areas of the Region of the Americas (excluding the Caribbean islands). Due to increased population mobility over previous decades, most infected people now live in urban settings and the infection has been increasingly detected in the United States of America, Canada, and many European and some African, Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific countries.

Chagas disease’s transmission is caused by T. cruzi parasites, which are mainly transmitted by contact with feces/urine of infected blood-sucking triatomine bugs. Normally they hide during the day and become active at night when they feed on animal blood, including human blood. They usually bite an exposed area of skin such as the face (hence its common name, kissing bug), and the bug defecates or urinates close to the bite. The parasites enter the body when the person instinctively smears the bug’s feces or urine into the bite, other skin breaks, the eyes, or the mouth. T. cruzi can also be transmitted by consumption of food or beverages contaminated with T. cruzi through, for example, contact with feces or urine of infected triatomine bugs or common opossums. This kind of transmission typically causes outbreaks with more severe cases and mortality; passage from an infected mother to her newborn during pregnancy or childbirth; blood or blood product transfusion from infected donors; some organ transplants using organs from infected donors; and laboratory accidents.

Internet: <who.int> (adapted).