Profile of the Day: Edgar Allan Poe

Are you a fan of the spooky tales written by Edgar Allan Poe? 172 years ago today, the famous poet and writer died in Baltimore, Maryland at the age of 40.

Image: Edgar Allan Poe / U.S. National Archives

Born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 19, 1809, Poe was orphaned as a young child. He was taken in by John Allan, a successful merchant, and his wife.

Considered the inventor of detective fiction, Poe is best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre. In 1845, Poe published his most famous poem, “The Raven,” and found instant success. Despite his popularity, Poe did not achieve much financial stability from his writings during his lifetime.

Poe died under mysterious circumstances on October 7, 1849. Days before his death, Poe was found on the streets of Baltimore delirious and in great distress. He was never coherent enough to explain how he came to be in this condition. To this day, the cause of his sudden death remains unknown.

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