Edgar Allan Poe: Baltimore's Literary Genius

"Quoth the Raven nevermore"

We've all heard this famous line from Edgar Allan Poe's, “The Raven.” While Poe's poetry is enjoyed by all, the poet has a special connection to Baltimore. He spent his last few years in the city of Baltimore and wrote his widely successful poem, “The Raven,” while living there.

Poe was born on January 19th, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, Poe's father walked out on his family in 1810 and just one year later his mother passed away. Orphaned, John and Frances Allan took him into their home in Alexandria, Virginia. Things went well for the family until John Allan and Poe began to clash over money and debts. Poe attended University of Virginia for just one short year before dropping out due to insufficient funds. He then went on to enlist in the army in 1827 where he began writing poetry. He attempted to be a cadet at West Point but failed and claimed his desire to be a poet and writer.

Once he parted ways with John Allan, Poe began to focus on his writing while he traveled throughout major cities of the United States including New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.

When he arrived in Baltimore he married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia Clemm and published his instantly famous poem, "The Raven." Unfortunately, Clemm passed away from tuberculosis two years later and eventually, on October 7th, 1849, at the age of forty, Poe passed away.

Poe was found dead on the streets of Baltimore though his cause of death is greatly disputed. Possible causes of death include suicide, cholera, heart disease, rabies, and many more, yet no definite answer has been established.

A photograph of Edgar Allan Poe.

Although the dark and depressed literary genius has passed away, his legacy lives on, reminding everyone of his incredible gifts and talents that led him to be a successful writer. The Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum, located in Baltimore, stands open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction and a great location for school field trips. Poe is believed to live in the house when he was 23, along with his wife, Virginia Clemm, his grandmother, and possibly his brother, William Henry Leopold Poe.

A photo of the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum located in Baltimore.

While the museum is very interesting and informative, one of my favorite ways Baltimore pays tribute to the writer is through the Poe Toaster. Beginning in the 1930's, every January 19th, Poe's birthday, a mysterious figure would leave flowers and open bottle of cognac on the writer’s grave. Unfortunately, the Poe Toaster has not been appeared since 2009, but thankfully, the Maryland Historical Society is aiming to revive the tradition. The organization is requesting Poe-lovers to submit a 75-100 word essay describing how they will pay tribute to Edgar Allan Poe. Their tributes can be anything from dances to readings as long as they honor Poe in the spirit of the Poe Toaster.

Edgar, Allan, and Poe, the mascots of the Baltimore Ravens pose for a picture.

 Baltimore has also honored the literary genius is by the name of its NFL football team and the names of the mascots. Baltimore is home to the Ravens and the Raven's mascots, three birds named Edgar, Allen, and Poe. The city of Baltimore prides itself as the location where “The Raven” was written and takes honor in its affiliation with Poe.

http://www.biography.com/people/edgar-allan-poe-9443160
https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/edgar-allan-poe
http://www.eapoe.org