Immortal Poe
Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010
by Jack H. Schick
The answer will most likely be "Yes", if you stop anyone, on any street in any town in the United States, or on any university campus anywhere in the world, and ask them if they have ever heard of Edgar Allan Poe. Now, over 200 years after his birth, he is one of, if not the best know American writer. He is generally considered a unique genius and has an enduring place in the annals of world literature. This was not always so.
Poe's first volume of poetry was published in 1827, when he was 18 years old, and included surprisingly mature works such as "Tamerlane". Two more volumes had been published by 1831. He was dis-owned by his step-father for irresponsible behavior and moved in with Mr. Allan's sister, Maria Clemm in Baltimore. She aided in his attempt to launch a literary career but he had little success. From 1835 to 1837, he helped to edit the 'Southern Literary Messenger' and gained renown as a brutal, astute critic. He soon married his step-cousin, Virginia Clemm in 1836.
Over the next decade Poe continued to work, itinerately, as a literary critic in Richmond, New York City, and Philadelphia. Written during this period, his "The Philosophy of Composition", and "The Poetic Principle" are still respected treatises on the art of poetry. During this time Poe also produced his well know prose works, "Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque". He still had very little respect or fame due to his continued personal instability. His bitingly severe criticisms made enemies in the literary community, which included Longfellow, Hawthorne and Emerson who dominated American literature at the time. For the most part he lived in depressing desolation and poverty. His 'allergy' to alcohol is factual but exaggerated.
Poe achieved the only moderate success he was to have during his lifetime with the publication of "The Raven and Other Poems" in 1845. After his wife, Virginia, died in 1847, Poe's life deteriorated even more. His mental stability was always in question. His substance abuse increased. In 1849, Poe was found dying on the street in Baltimore and, at the age of 40, and was laid in a pauper's grave at city expense.
With some perverse wish for self-diminution Poe gave the publishing rights to his works to one of his harshest critics, publisher Rufus Griswold. Griswold did issue Poe's work in four volumes, but introduce them with a vicious documentation of Poe's embarrassing personal life. Griswold continued to debase Poe for the rest of his life. Within several decades Edgar Allan Poe had faded from the annals of American literature. Only in Europe did he retain any respect or readership.
Not until 1902, when James Harrison brought his work together in 17 volumes, was Poe again in print in the United States. It was a different world by then. Victorian stuffiness over personal behavior had faded. An artist's work stood on its own merits. The shocking intensity and uniqueness of Poe's short stories and the sheer beauty of his poetry could not be denied. Stories such as "The Gold Bug" and "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" established him as the father of the detective genera. "The Colloquy of Monos and Una" and "Von Kempelen and His Discovery" are some of the first science fiction stories. Poe has few peers in the horror story field.
Edgar Allan Poe died in obscurity and disrepute over 150 years ago, but today there is no bookstore or library in this country in which his works cannot be found. There are monuments and historical sites in every city in which he lived. There are dozens of films based on his work. Baltimore named its football team, The Ravens, for his famous poem. There are few people, anywhere in the world, who would say "No", when asked if they had ever heard of this towering figure, this true genius of world literature.
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More commentsI really enjoyed this article. Of course the majority of people have heard of Poe, but like me, I bet they never knew the truth about his life. Very interesting article, and it's a shame that he is more famous after his untimely death that he was when he was alive.Thanks for reading and commenting
Just joined Searchwarp. This is first article I've reviewed (but not read) on this site. Good writing. Only comment I would make is that you write from assumption that "everyone" knows about Poe. e.g. His 'allergy' to alcohol is factual but exaggerated. - That's very much an insider comment and I'm not even sure I know what you mean.Enjoyed.Poe was reputed to be an alcoholic and drug user. But, some information shows that even a small amount of alcohol could 'over come' him, that it had an unnatural effect on him.. In AA, alcoholism is often called an allergy.
Jack,very interesting article, it is too bad that the younger generations don't know much about Edgar Allan Poe.Your article is very informative and I wish some of the younger generations would read it and absorb all the very important historical events of this writer.Thank you,Thanks for reading and commenting
As Jose said above, very interesting article, Jack. Since my early school days, Poe has been a favorite of mine---even though he seemed to have a dark side. You have shared some very interesting things about Poe that I never knew. Thank you.Sandra.Thanks for reading and commenting
This article was very interesting. I would like to know more about how his life, and lifestyle, affected and influenced his work.There are many biographies. Also ask, how did the intellect personality that could created that work influence his life and lifestyle? Look at photos. Note the size of his brain. How many geniuses lived self destructive lives. Read my article on Lennon "Strawberry Fields"
Great article. Well done.I love Poe - he is undoubtedly a literary genius.I found your article fascinating and insightful.thanks for reading and commenting
Great article Jack. Living in metro-Baltimore, Poe's burial place...he has an enduring precense here...(Raven's football team is one reminder). thanks.Thanks for reading and commentingmy pleasure Jack...great article.
Wonderfully written. I enjoyed this article the whole way through.Thanks for reading and commenting
Great article Jack.One of my favorites from his work is "Annabel Lee" He died so young but contributed so much to the American literature.Thanks for writing this well-written piece.All the best,NenitaMy very favorite poem of all time, too, Nenita.
Thanks for bringing to memory the great work of a great mind who died unsung. It's unfortunate Poe had everything to make him wealthy but died in penury.It happens to many, fame after death. I'd like to get a penny for every Poe book in the bookstores.
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