Edgar Allan Poe was born in 1809 and died in 1849, and in his short life he changed the direction of American literature. He “invented” the modern detective story, and now each year, the outstanding mystery or detective novel wins an “Edgar Award,” named after him. He is renowned world-wide for his imaginative short stories and poetry.

A 1908 poster for a play about the life of Edgar Allan Poe. Poe’s stories have been in many comic books, such as this one from 1926.

Poe’s work continues to inspire artists, musicians and authors from all over the world. The Alan Parson’s Project scored a Top 40 hit in 1975 with their rock and roll versions of Poe.

“The Raven” was published in January of 1845 and was an overnight sensation. The following slides show images of some of the words and phrases in the poem.

The raven is the largest species of songbird and largest all-black bird in the world. Poe originally considered using a parrot.

“Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door- perched and sat and nothing more….” Pallas Athena is the goddess of wisdom.

“…with my head at ease reclining/On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o’er, But whose velvet-violet lining….she shall press, ah, nevermore!”

Seraphim

“…perfumed from an unseen censer…”

The view from the terrace at Nepenthe… and below, a raven sits on the railing. In Greek, Nepenthe means "isle of no care," a place to find surcease from sorrow. So it continues...

This is a cypress tree in the Biblical city of Gilead where they make the balm which eases pain. From ancient days Gilead has been famous for this balm which is why Poe’s readers would immediately know what he meant.

This illustration, by James Carling for an 1882 edition of "The Raven," reflects the dark and foreboding tone of Poe's classic poem

The 1884 version of The Raven inspired Gustave Dore, a French artist, to create some of his most well-known art. He died just after completing the illustrations for the book.

Poe was first buried in an unmarked grave, then in 1875 his remains were moved and fitting headstone was unveiled. His original burial site is marked by the stone above.

Poe's grave site has become a popular tourist attraction Poe's grave site has become a popular tourist attraction. Beginning in 1949, the grave has been visited every year in the early hours of Poe's birthday, January 19th, by a mystery man known as the Poe Toaster. A man draped in black with a silver-tipped cane, kneels at the grave for a toast of cognac and leaves the half-full bottle and three red roses. One theory (of many) is that the three red roses are in memory of Poe himself, his mother-in-law, and his wife Virginia. The epitaph inscribed on Poe's tombstone reads: Fly Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore." The End

Poe’s final resting place in Baltimore, Maryland Poe’s final resting place in Baltimore, Maryland. He is buried with his beloved Virginia and Aunt Maria Clemm.

Closed on Account of Rabies