Poetry (eBook)

Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) stands among the most influential American writers in the realms of mystery, macabre, and early science fiction. Born to actor parents in Boston, his early life was marred with tragedy as he lost both of his parents by the age of three. Later, he was taken in by the Allan family of Richmond, Virginia, but never formally adopted. Poe's literary career began humbly with the 1827 publication of 'Tamerlane and Other Poems,' credited only to 'a Bostonian.' It wasn't until later that he gained notoriety for his tales of the gothic and grotesque, which complemented his extensive body of poetry. Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He is also remembered for his contributions to the emerging genre of science fiction. 'The Raven,' Poe's most famous poem, was an instant success upon its publication in 1845 and remains a foundational work in American literature for its supernatural atmosphere and lyrical rhythm. Poe's unique style, characterized by a rhythmically musical language and an often morbid fascination with death and the macabre, has greatly influenced American literature and popular culture. His work has been a subject of critical study for over a century, as much for the mysterious circumstances of his life and death as for the enduring power of his writing.