Edgar Allan Poe

Master of the Macabre

Biography• Born in Boston in 1809; died in Baltimore

in 1849 at the age of 40.• Lived in various cities including Boston,

Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia.• When he was 26, married Virginia Clemm,

his 13-year-old cousin.• She died of tuberculosis in 1845.• Poe’s death remains a mystery; he was

found lying on the streets of Baltimore.

Literary Achievements

• Wrote mainly short stories of suspense, horror, and mystery.

• Considered one of the founders of the detective story as well as science fiction.

• Best-known poem is “The Raven” published in 1845.

• Believed in “art for art’s sake,” rather than expressing a moral in his writing.

Poe’s birthplace in Baltimore – now it’s in kind of a run-down,

dangerous neighborhood!

Poe’s tombstone at a churchyard in Baltimore. Notice the rose in

front of the tomb – left by a mystery person!